Sherlock Swann papers

Sherlock Swann, grandson of Governor Thomas Swann, was born on December 27, 1866 in the old Executive Mansion at the Naval Academy grounds in Annapolis, Maryland. He attended private school in Baltimore until 1877 when he studied in France and Germany while traveling with his widowed mother. Upon his return to the United States in 1879, Swann attended St. John’s School in New York. He then attended Georgetown University, while living with his grandfather, who was by then Congressmen from the 4th district in Washington, D. C.. After recovering from a severe illness that interrupted his studies, Swann returned home to Baltimore sometime after 1884 and attended the Maryland Institute.

In 1892 Swann was appointed as a member of Governor Frank Brown’s military staff at the rank of Colonel. In 1894 Swann’s uncle, Mayor Ferdinand C. Latrobe, appointed him Commissioner for Opening the Streets. Swann served as a member of the City Council from 1896 to 1898. He married Edith R. Deford, daughter of a prominent Baltimore merchant, on November 30, 1897. In 1901, he ran unsuccessfully for the Legislature (2nd district) on a Democratic ticket.

After the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904, Swann was appointed head of the Burnt District Commission by Mayor Robert McLane. In this Commission Swann oversaw the expenditure of over $10,000,000, as well as the redevelopment of over 140 acres of Baltimore City land. The press was initially highly critical of Swann and the Burnt District Commission, but soon the editorial pages sang his praises.

In 1908 Governor Austin L. Crothers appointed Swann to the Board of Police Commissioners. Swann served as President of this board until 1910. He is generally considered instrumental in the development and modernization of the Traffic Department. Swann instituted the motorcycle squad and authored several laws including the Anti-Cobblestone law and the Swann Cocaine Ordinance.

In 1913 President Woodrow Wilson appointed Swann Postmaster of Baltimore. He held the position until 1921. In 1923 Mayor Howard W. Jackson appointed Swann Chairman of the Commission on Traffic. It is unknown how long he served in this capacity. Swann died in Baltimore of bronchial pneumonia on March 6, 1935.