Hugh L. White

Hugh L. White (right) at his swearing-in in 1952

Hugh Lawson White (born August 19, 1882 in McComb , Mississippi , † September 20, 1965 ibid) was an American politician and governor of the state of Mississippi from 1936 to 1940 and between 1952 and 1956 .

Early years and political advancement

Hugh White attended Soule's Business College until 1898 and then studied at the University of Mississippi . After that, he began a successful business career that turned him into a very wealthy man. He became the owner of the JJ White Lumber Company and a member of the Democratic Party . Between 1926 and 1936 he was the mayor of Columbia . In November 1935 he was elected the new governor of his state.

Mississippi Governor

Hugh White took up his new office on January 26, 1936. In his four-year first term, which ended on January 16, 1940, among other things, the road network of the state was expanded, the highway police established and a program to promote both agriculture and industry was created. Due to a clause in the state constitution, the governor could not be directly re-elected in 1939. Between 1944 and 1948, White was a member of his state's legislature. In 1948 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention , where President Harry S. Truman was nominated for a second term.

In 1951, Hugh White was once again elected governor of his state. His second term began on January 20, 1952 and ended on January 17, 1956. During this time, the integration of all students in common schools for all races ( desegregation ) became a major issue in the southern states . The federal government and the Supreme Court ruled that the racially segregated schools were unconstitutional. Governor White was more of an opponent of these measures. He developed a plan to improve African American schools and raise teachers' salaries; but the separation should be maintained. This plan was rejected by the African Americans. At that time there were also the first riots in Mississippi.

Another résumé

After the end of his governorship, the 73-year-old White retired from politics. He died in September 1965 and was buried in his hometown of McComb. The ex-governor was married to Judith Sugg.

literature

Robert Sobel, John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. 4 volumes. Volume 2. Meckler Books, Westport 1978.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	White, Hugh L.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	White, Hugh Lawson
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	August 19, 1882
PLACE OF BIRTH	McComb , Mississippi
DATE OF DEATH	September 20, 1965
Place of death	McComb , Mississippi