William C. Sproul, Governor of Pennsylvania, 1919-1923.


Oil on canvas formal portrait.
Full Size

A wealthy Quaker businessman, William Sproul served as a Republican state senator from Delaware County for more than 20 years before Republican state bosses picked him for the governor's office in 1918. As governor, Sproul was a centrist, supporting some Progressive era reforms–including women’s right to vote–while defending the pro-business policies of his party.