Mulford Winsor

Mulford Winsor (May 31, 1874 – November 5, 1956) was an American newspaperman and politician active in Arizona.

Background Winsor was born in Jewell, Kansas on May 31, 1874. His father, editor of the Jewell City Republican, began teaching him the newspaper business when he was seven years old. His family moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1885 where Winsor attended high school and became a journeyman printer.

In 1892, Winsor relocated to Prescott, Arizona Territory. Over the next two years he moved around the territory, working at a variety of newspapers, before settling in Yuma. The next year he served as Assistant Chief Clerk of the Territorial House of Representatives for the 21st Arizona Territorial Legislature, a position he later served during the 23rd Arizona Territorial Legislature. Winsor left for Phoenix in 1903 where he worked at the Phoenix Enterprise.

Winsor was elected to represent Yuma County in Arizona's 1910 constitutional convention. During a 1911 special election, Winsor ran for Arizona's upcoming seat in the U.S. House of Representatives but lost to Carl Hayden during the primary election. After Arizona achieved statehood in 1912, Winsor served briefly as secretary to Governor George W. P. Hunt before being appointed Chairman of the State Land Commission. Winsor returned to the Arizona State Senate in 1922, serving three more terms. During his final five years in the legislature, from 1923 to 1928, he served as President of the Senate. During his time in the Senate he gained a reputation as one of Arizona's most important and influential lawmakers. One of the issues of greatest concern to Winsor was apportionment of water from the Colorado River. Toward this concern he was appointed to the Arizona Colorado River Commission from 1927 to 1928.

After leaving the legislature, Winsor was appointed State Librarian and Director of the Department of Library and Archives in 1932. He held that position until his death in Phoenix on November 5, 1956. Winsor was buried in Yuma.