Ernest Vandiver

Ernest Vandiver (1962)

Samuel Ernest Vandiver Jr. (born July 3, 1918 in Canon , Franklin County , Georgia , † February 21, 2005 in Lavonia , Georgia) was an American politician ( Democratic Party ) and governor of Georgia.

Youth and political advancement

After elementary and secondary school, Vandiver studied at the University of Georgia . In World War II he was used as a bomber pilot. In 1946 he became mayor of Lavonia, a small town in Georgia. He supported ex-governor Eugene Talmadge and later his son Herman Talmadge . In 1948 he got him a job in his government. In 1954 he was elected lieutenant governor of Georgia. In 1958 he ran successfully for the office of governor, which had suffered through various corruption scandals under his predecessor Marvin Griffin .

Georgia Governor

As governor, he ended his predecessor's mismanagement in administration. Though he had also advocated segregation, he quickly gave in when a federal court ruled that two African Americans were admitted to the University of Georgia. As a result, the public schools were gradually opened to all races against strong protests by the conservatives. In the 1962 elections, Vandiver lost to his challenger Carl Sanders in the primaries .

Old age and death

After leaving office, he first settled in Atlanta and later in Lavonia as a lawyer. In 1966 he originally wanted to apply again for the office of governor, but withdrew his candidacy for health reasons. From 1976 to 1977 he was President of the Independent Bankers of Georgia Association. He died in Lavonia in February 2005.

literature

James F. Cook: The Governors of Georgia, 1754-2004. 3rd revised and expanded edition. Mercer University Press, Macon GA 2005, ISBN 0-86554-954-0 .
Harold Paulk Henderson: Ernest Vandiver, Governor of Georgia. University of Georgia Press, Athens GA et al. 2000, ISBN 0-8203-2223-7 .
Charles Pyles: S. Ernest Vandiver and the Politics of Change. In: Harold P. Henderson, Gary L. Roberts (Eds.): Georgia Governors in an Age of Change. From Ellis Arnall to George Busbee. University of Georgia Press, Athens GA et al. 1988, ISBN 0-8203-1004-2 .

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Vandiver, Ernest
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Vandiver, Samuel Ernest junior (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	July 3, 1918
PLACE OF BIRTH	Canon , Georgia
DATE OF DEATH	February 21, 2005
Place of death	Lavonia , Georgia