Bryant Winfield Culberson Dunn (July 1, 1927 – September 28, 2024) was an American businessman and politician who served as the 43rd governor of Tennessee from 1971 to 1975. He was the state's first Republican governor in fifty years. Dunn was an unsuccessful candidate for a second term in 1986, losing to Democrat Ned McWherter. He remained active in the Republican Party and the medical field from the end of his term as governor until his death.

Early life

Dunn was born in Meridian, Mississippi, the son of Aubert C. Dunn, an attorney and politician, and Dorothy (Crum) Dunn. Aubert served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives, 1935–1937. In 1944, during World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and served as a pharmacists' mate in the Asia-Pacific Theatre for eighteen months. He subsequently served as a reserve lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. The couple had three children: Charles (Chuck), Gayle, and Julie. After working in the insurance industry for several years, he obtained his D.D.S. from the University of Tennessee Medical Units in Memphis in 1955. He initially practiced with his father-in-law before opening his own practice in Memphis.

Upon taking office, Dunn sought to unify the state, and offered state appointments to both Republicans and Democrats. Democrats, who controlled the state senate and had regained control of the state house, were initially uncooperative, with Speaker of the House James McKinney and Lieutenant-governor John S. Wilder (who was in the first term of what would become a 36-year tenure) trying at times to thwart his legislative agenda. In 1972, Ned McWherter was elected house speaker, and proved more open to cooperation with the Republican governor.

In November 1973, Dunn hosted the Republican Governors Conference in Memphis, where President Nixon, beleaguered by the Watergate scandal, privately assured the governors present that no more surprises would arise from the scandal that would hurt the party. In December 2011, he endorsed the eventual 2012 Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney. Romney said of Dunn: "No one is more highly regarded for his love of country and his public service."

Dunn died on September 28, 2024 from natural causes at his home in Nashville at the age of 97.

Legacy

The Winfield Dunn Center, built during Dunn's tenure as governor, is home to the indoor athletic teams of Austin Peay State University. Buildings at Tennessee Technological University and the University of Memphis have been named for Dunn. The Dunn Dental Building, housing the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, is also named after Governor Dunn. The golf course at Pickwick Landing State Park in Counce, Tennessee is named for the former governor. A bust honoring the governor is in the clinic lobby of the Dunn Building.

Two state routes in Tennessee are named for him: Winfield Dunn Parkway, a section of State Highway 66, connects Interstate 40 with U.S. Route 441 in Sevierville, and a portion of Interstate 269/Tennessee State Route 385 in Fayette and Shelby Counties is named for him between US 70 and US 72.

Further reading

  • Dunn, Winfield. From a Standing Start: My Tennessee Political Odyssey. Magellan Press, 2007. .

See also

  • List of governors of Tennessee

References

  • Governor Winfield Dunn – entry at the National Governors Association
  • Governor Winfield Dunn Papers (finding aid) – Tennessee State Library and Archives
  • Portrait painting of Governor Dunn – Tennessee Portrait Project
  • Portrait photograph of Governor Dunn – Tennessee State Library and Archives

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