William Yates Atkinson

William Yates Atkinson

William Yates Atkinson (born November 11, 1854 in Oakland , Georgia - † August 8, 1899 ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Georgia.

Early years and political advancement

William Atkinson came from a family of planters based in Oakland, Meriwether County . In his youth he experienced the turmoil of the civil war . After the war, he studied law at the University of Georgia . After being admitted to the bar, he began practicing in Newnan in 1877 . In 1879, Governor Alfred H. Colquitt appointed him an attorney at the Coweta County District Court . His political rise began in 1886 when he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives. There he was, among other things, a member of the Finance, Legal and Railway Committee. He advocated necessary reforms, especially in the education sector. Because of his skills, he also rose quickly within his Democratic Party . In 1890 he was a successful campaign manager for William J. Northen , the Democratic candidate for governor of Georgia. He became president of the local Democratic Party Congress and eventually chairman of the Georgia Democratic Board. In 1892 he succeeded Clark Howell as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Georgia Governor

In 1894 he himself ran for the office of governor. On the way to his election victory he had to beat his rival Clement Anselm Evans , a former general of the Confederation , from within the party . In the actual election, James K. Hines of the Populist Party was a serious opponent. Eventually Atkinson won after a tough campaign. His re-election two years later against the populist candidate Seaborn Wright was then problem-free and at the same time meant the political end for the populist party in Georgia. Atkinson was a hard-working governor with visionary reform plans. But he had to deal with a conservative opposition that vehemently defended the old structures. Atkinson spoke out against lynchings on several occasions and introduced anti-violence laws that strengthened the power of the authorities. He also stood up for the interests of African American people , promoted their schooling and tried to strengthen their civil rights. In 1896 he pardoned Adolphus Duncan, who had been sentenced to death innocently. His opponents then accused him of only wanting to win black votes. It is also noteworthy that he accepted the first woman into civil service. At the same time, he tried to lure investors to Georgia and reduce the national debt. Although he did not achieve all of the goals due to strong opposition, his tenure ushered in a slow turnaround. The supporters of the old system before and during the Confederation slowly lost influence.

According to him, that's Atkinson County named in Georgia.

Family and death

Atkinson had been married to Susan Cobb Milton since 1880. The couple had six children, including William Yates Atkinson, Jr., who was to become a Georgia Supreme Court Justice.

After his second term ended in 1898, Atkinson returned to Newnan to return to practice as a lawyer. When he was in Florida on business in May 1899, he fell ill with dysentery. He succumbed to this disease in August 1899.

literature

• James F. Cook: The Governors of Georgia, 1754-2004. 3rd edition, revised and expanded. Mercer University Press, Macon GA 2005, ISBN 0-86554-954-0 .
• Barton C. Shaw: The Wool-Hat Boys. Georgia's Populist Party. Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge LA et al. 1984, ISBN 0-8071-1148-1 .
• Mauriel Shipp: The Public Life of William Yates Atkinson. University of Georgia, Athens GA 1955 (Master's Thesis).

Web links

• The New Georgia Encyclopedia (History of the State of Georgia in Biographies )
• William Yates Atkinson at the National Governors Association (English)

• William Yates Atkinson in the database of Find a Grave (English)