Where the Streets All Have Names: Gray Street

Senator George Gray

Previously known as Calhoun Street, or just G Street, the 7th street west of Sheridan was renamed after George Gray in 1903 to reflect the new Senators and U.S. Supreme Court Justices alphabet naming system.

George Gray was an influential political figure in the United States during the late 19th century. Born in 1840 in New Castle, Delaware, Gray pursued a career in law and served as a Union Army officer during the Civil War before being elected to the U.S. Senate.

Gray’s political career began in 1885 when he was elected as a Democrat to represent Delaware in the Senate. He quickly gained a reputation for being an independent thinker who was willing to work across party lines to achieve his goals. Gray was a strong advocate for civil rights and worked to pass legislation that would protect the rights of African Americans in the United States.

Gray’s most notable contribution to the Senate was his role in crafting the landmark Sherman Antitrust Act. This legislation, which passed in 1890, was designed to combat the rise of large monopolies and protect competition in the marketplace. Gray was a leading advocate for the bill and worked tirelessly to build support for its passage.

In addition to his work on civil rights and antitrust legislation, Gray was instrumental in the creation of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He served as the court’s first judge, helping to shape the court’s early jurisprudence. Gray would continue to serve as a federal judge until his passing in 1925.