Robert Archer Cooper

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Robert Archer Cooper (born June 12, 1874 in Waterloo , Laurens County , South Carolina , † August 7, 1953 in Laurens , South Carolina) was an American politician and the 93rd governor of the state of South Carolina. He later became a federal judge in the Federal District Court for Puerto Rico .

Early years

Cooper earned a doctorate in law from the Polytechnic Institute in San Germán , Puerto Rico , was admitted to the bar in 1898, and practiced in Laurens. He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1900 and was elected attorney for the eighth Judicial District of the state in 1904.

Governor of south carolina

Cooper won the election of the 93rd governor of South Carolina on November 5, 1918 unopposed. His re-election on November 2, 1920 was also undisputed. As a Democrat , he continued the progressive policies of his predecessor Richard Irvine Manning by introducing seven-month schooling and compulsory schooling , expanding health care and improving the streets. These initiatives have been funded through the stricter application of existing tax laws and the reassessment of government property. During his tenure, working hours in the state's textile industry were set at ten hours a day and 55 hours a week. Also during his term of office, the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed on August 26, 1920, which introduced women's suffrage in the USA. South Carolina found it difficult to ratify this law. It was not until 1969 that a decision was made to take this step.

In 1922 he left the governorate to accept a five-year post on the Federal Farm Loan Board . Upon his return to justice, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him to the syndic of the Commodity Credit Corporation . Roosevelt appointed him again in 1934 as the successor to the late Ira K. Wells as a judge at the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico . He held this office until 1947.

family

Robert Archer Cooper was married twice, both to his first wife Mamiemachen, who died in 1914, and to his second wife Dorcas Calmes. He had a child. After his death in 1953 he was buried in Laurens.

literature

  • Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 4. Meckler Books, Westport, CT, 1978. 4 volumes.
  • The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. Vol. 12. James T. White & Company, New York

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Cooper, Robert Archer
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH June 12, 1874
PLACE OF BIRTH Waterloo , South Carolina
DATE OF DEATH 7th August 1953
Place of death Laurens , South Carolina