Global political history

Global political history from 3000 BC to the 21st century – political leaders, elections, and more.

Members of the U.S. Senate from West Virginia

Class 1 | Class 2.


U.S. Senators from West Virginia

Member of the United States Senate (Class 1) from West Virginia
Peter Godwin Van Winkle

Date of birth/date of death: b. September 7 1808; d. April 15 1872.

Republican Party

1863 – 1869

Frank Hereford

Date of birth/date of death: b. July 4 1825; d. December 21 1891.

Democratic Party

1877 – 1881

Stephen Benton Elkins

Date of birth/date of death: b. September 26 1841; d. January 4 1911.

Republican Party

1895 – 1911

Harley Martin Kilgore

Date of birth/date of death: b. January 11 1893; d. February 28 1956.

Democratic Party

1941 – 1956

Robert Carlyle Byrd

Date of birth/date of death: b. November 20 1917; d. June 28 2010.

Democratic Party

1959 – 2010

Joseph Anthony “Joe” Manchin III

Date of birth/date of death: b. August 24 1947.

Democratic Party (2010 – 2024); Independent (2024 – 2025)

2010 – 2025


Member of the United States Senate (Class 2) from West Virginia
Henry Gassaway Davis

Date of birth/date of death: b. November 16 1823; d. March 11 1916.

Democratic Party

1871 – 1883

Guy Despard Goff

Date of birth/date of death: b. September 13 1866; d. January 7 1933.

Republican Party

1925 – 1931

Jennings Randolph

Date of birth/date of death: b. March 8 1902; d. May 8 1998.

Democratic Party

1958 – 1985