Philip Andrew Traynor, DDS, FACD, (1874-1962)

Philip Andrew Traynor was arguably Delaware's most peerless dentist during his lifetime and even until today. He touched many lives, advanced the prestige of the dental profession, and served his state and country unselfishly as a national legislator. Forceful, no nonsense, take charge, persuasive, athlete, soldier, politico, legislator, canine judge, vocalist, dentist--all words that have been used to identify and describe this remarkable, unwonted, and extraordinary man--truly a dental diamond from the Diamond State. Historically it is important to view Traynor's wide ranging accomplishments in perspective. An Irish Catholic and son of the nation's second smallest state, Dr. Traynor affected the lives of thousands of people the length and breadth of his state and even his nation. Whether at the dental chair or congressional lecturn, Philip A. Traynor, a dual savant, imprinted his hallmark. This paper details the unselfish life of a perspicacious man and exceptional dentist, Philip A. Traynor, DDS.