The Governor: Elbert Carvel of Delaware

By Ray Hill

At six feet and six inches, Elbert N. “Bert” Carvel was impossible to miss. For a quarter of a century, Carvel was a political force to be reckoned with inside the First State. Carvel’s success in business – – – he manufactured fertilizer – – – made for many jokes which are better left unprinted. The first lieutenant governor in Delaware to be elected to the governorship, Carvel remains the only person ever to be elected to two non-consecutive terms as Delaware’s chief executive.

A jovial man who liked people, Elbert Carvel had a number of things he loved in life; public service, through which he was able to help others, and classical music, a love he shared with his four children, were important to him. Carvel also loved his home chur

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