David Hampton Pryor (born 29 August 1934) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives and United States Senator from the State of Arkansas. Pryor also served as Governor of Arkansas.
David H. Pryor was born in Camden, Arkansas. He attended public schools in Camden. He attended Henderson State Teacher's College and graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1957. Pryor was founder and publisher of the Ouachita Citizen from 1957 to 1960.
Pryor served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1960 to 1966.
He Graduated from law school at the University of Arkansas in 1964 and was admitted to the bar that same year.
Elected the United States House of Representatives at a special election to fill the unexpired term in the 89th Congress of Representative Oren Harris and at the same time elected to the 90th Congress for a full term.
Pryor was reelected to the House twice more and served from 8 November 1966 to 3 January 1973. Pryor was not a candidate for reelection in 1972 to wage an unsuccessful campaign for nomination for the United States Senate.
Pryor served as Governor of Arkansas from 1975-1979.
He was elected to the United States Senate in 1978 and served three terms in that body. Pryor was not a candidate for reelection in 1996 and retired from elected office in 1997. Pryor served as Chairman of the Committee on Aging.
Pryor was known for his advocacy for the aged and for promoting tax-payer rights. During his tenure, he was secretary of the Democratic Conference, third in the Senate Democratic Leadership.
In 2000 Pryor became Director of the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Pryor is the father of United States Senator Mark Pryor.
