Thomas B. Turley

Thomas Battle Turley (April 5, 1845 – July 1, 1910) was an American politician, lawyer, and soldier. A Democrat, he was a member of the United States Senate from Tennessee.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Turley served as a private in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He then became a lawyer and practicied in Memphis, alongside Isham G. Harris. Harris was later elected to the Senate, and after Harris' death, Turley succeeded him. He served from 1897 to 1901.

Early life and military service Turley was born on April 5, 1845, in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of lawyer Thomas Jefferson Turley and Ora (née Battle) Turley. His uncle was judge William B. Turley. He was educated at local schools, either public until being exchanged in March 1865.

Career In 1867, Turley graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law, with a Bachelor of Laws. He was a member of the partnership Harris, McKissick & Turley, alongside Isham G. Harris and L. D. McKissick. Turley was elected to the United States Senate, and McKissick moved to California. The partnership ended in 1885 or 1886, at which point Turley partnered with Luke Edward Wright. In 1876, he unsuccessfully ran for Tennessee Presidential elector, a position that Harris was nominated for, but which he declined due to controversy regarding his governorship. He declined to run in the following election, He supported expanding currency, reforming tariffs, and opposed imperialism. An archive of his papers is held by the Tennessee State Library and Archives.