Marvin Griffin
Encyclopedia
Samuel Marvin Griffin, Sr. (September 4, 1907 – June 13, 1982) was a politician from the US state of Georgia
. He served as the 72nd Governor of Georgia from 1955 to 1959.
and graduated from The Citadel in 1929. He taught in Virginia
for a short time before moving back to Bainbridge.
, was elected to the Georgia General Assembly
. Two years later, he failed in an attempt to be elected to the House of Representatives
. After that, he served in the administration of Governor Eurith D. Rivers
, rising to the post of executive secretary.
. He was appointed adjutant general
of the Georgia National Guard
in 1944.
to serve after he won a special election in 1948 (the first person elected lieutenant governor was Melvin E. Thompson
, who never took the office but instead claimed the office of Governor after the death of Governor-elect Eugene Talmadge
). Griffin was elected to a full term in 1950.
and he won the governorship in 1954. As Governor, Griffin was a staunch segregationist
. He spoke out against the Brown v. Board of Education
decision and pledged to keep Georgia's schools segregated "come hell or high water."
, Canada to promote tourism to his state by offering a group of survivors free vacations to Jekyll Island
. However, to the segregationist governor's chagrin, one of the rescued miners was black, resulting in a public relations nightmare.
, where the Pitt Panthers
, including African-American player Bobby Grier, were scheduled to meet the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
. There was controversy over whether Grier should be allowed to play, and whether Georgia Tech should even play at all due to Governor Griffin's opposition to integration. In anticipation of Bobby Grier's presence, in December 1955, Griffin publicly sent a telegram to his state's Board Of Regents
. Griffin implored teams from Georgia not to engage in racially integrated events which had blacks either as participants or as spectators.
A large contingent from the New Orleans community, as well as many related to Georgia Tech, openly fought to bar either Grier, Pitt or the Yellow Jacket team from the game. However, students and football players from the Atlanta-based school, civil rights leaders, as well as a large number of the Pitt community, succeeded in ensuring that the game took place.
ticket in 1968. Griffin was replaced by Curtis LeMay
although his name stayed on the ballot in many states.
in 1970 (classes began in 1973), of which he was a leading advocate and member of the Board of Directors. He also oversaw and directed the Decatur County Sesquicentennial in 1973.
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. He served as the 72nd Governor of Georgia from 1955 to 1959.
Early life
Griffin was born in Bainbridge, GeorgiaBainbridge, Georgia
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,722 people, 4,444 households, and 3,013 families residing in the city. The population density was 255.6/km² . There were 5,051 housing units at an average density of 285.2 per square mile...
and graduated from The Citadel in 1929. He taught in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
for a short time before moving back to Bainbridge.
Georgia assembly and cabinet
In 1934, Griffin, a life-long DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, was elected to the Georgia General Assembly
Georgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
. Two years later, he failed in an attempt to be elected to the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. After that, he served in the administration of Governor Eurith D. Rivers
Eurith D. Rivers
Eurith Dickenson Rivers was an American politician from Lanier County, Georgia. He was the 68th Governor of Georgia from 1937 to 1941.-Life and career:Rivers obtained a degree through La Salle Extension University...
, rising to the post of executive secretary.
Military service
When America entered World War II, Griffin enlisted in the army, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
. He was appointed adjutant general
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
of the Georgia National Guard
Georgia National Guard
The Georgia National Guard is the National Guard of the U.S state of Georgia consists of the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard...
in 1944.
Georgia lieutenant governor
Griffin became the first elected Lieutenant Governor of GeorgiaLieutenant Governor of Georgia
The Lieutenant Governor of Georgia is a constitutional officer of the state, elected to a 4-year term by popular vote. Unlike some states, the lieutenant governor is elected on a separate ticket from the state Governor....
to serve after he won a special election in 1948 (the first person elected lieutenant governor was Melvin E. Thompson
Melvin E. Thompson
Melvin Ernest Thompson was an American educator and politician from Millen in the U.S. state of Georgia.Thompson was born in Millen, Georgia to Henry J. And Eva Thompson. He graduated from Emory University in 1926 and earned a Master of Arts from the University of Georgia in 1935. He also earned...
, who never took the office but instead claimed the office of Governor after the death of Governor-elect Eugene Talmadge
Eugene Talmadge
Eugene Talmadge was a Democratic politician who served two terms as the 67th Governor of Georgia from 1933 to 1937, and a third term from 1941 to 1943. Elected to a fourth term in 1946, he died before taking office...
). Griffin was elected to a full term in 1950.
1954 election
Griffin was seen as the successor to Governor Herman TalmadgeHerman Talmadge
Herman Eugene Talmadge was an American politician from the U.S. state of Georgia. He served as governor of Georgia briefly in 1947 and again from 1948 to 1955. His term was marked by his segregationist policies. After leaving office Talmadge was elected to the U.S...
and he won the governorship in 1954. As Governor, Griffin was a staunch segregationist
Racial segregation in the United States
Racial segregation in the United States, as a general term, included the racial segregation or hypersegregation of facilities, services, and opportunities such as housing, medical care, education, employment, and transportation along racial lines...
. He spoke out against the Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 , was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. The decision overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896 which...
decision and pledged to keep Georgia's schools segregated "come hell or high water."
Springhill mining disaster
In 1958, Griffin, who was a segregationalist and accused of being racist, took advantage of the intense media coverage surrounding the Springhill mining disaster in Springhill, Nova ScotiaSpringhill, Nova Scotia
-Coal mining:The first industrial coal mining in the area took place in the 1870s after a rail connection was built by the Springhill and Parrsboro Coal and Railway Company to the newly completed Intercolonial Railway at neighbouring Springhill Junction....
, Canada to promote tourism to his state by offering a group of survivors free vacations to Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is an island off the coast of the U.S. state of Georgia, in Glynn County; it is one of the Sea Islands and one of the Golden Isles of Georgia. The city of Brunswick, Georgia, the Marshes of Glynn, and several other islands, including the larger St. Simons Island, are nearby...
. However, to the segregationist governor's chagrin, one of the rescued miners was black, resulting in a public relations nightmare.
1956 Sugar Bowl
Much controversy preceded the 1956 Sugar Bowl1956 Sugar Bowl
The 1956 Sugar Bowl featured the 7th ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and the 11th ranked Pitt Panthers. The game was played on January 2, since New Year's Day was a Sunday. Much controversy preceded the 1956 Sugar Bowl...
, where the Pitt Panthers
University of Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers, commonly also referred to as the Pitt Panthers, are the athletic teams of University of Pittsburgh, although the term is colloquially used to refer to other aspects of the university such as alumni, faculty, and students...
, including African-American player Bobby Grier, were scheduled to meet the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Yellow Jackets is the name used for all of the intercollegiate athletic teams that play for the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. The teams have also been nicknamed the Ramblin' Wreck, Engineers, Blacksmiths, and Golden Tornado. There are 8 men's and 7 women's teams that...
. There was controversy over whether Grier should be allowed to play, and whether Georgia Tech should even play at all due to Governor Griffin's opposition to integration. In anticipation of Bobby Grier's presence, in December 1955, Griffin publicly sent a telegram to his state's Board Of Regents
Georgia Board of Regents
The Georgia Board of Regents oversees the University System of Georgia as part of the state government of Georgia in the United States. The University System of Georgia is composed of all state public institutions of higher education.-History:...
. Griffin implored teams from Georgia not to engage in racially integrated events which had blacks either as participants or as spectators.
A large contingent from the New Orleans community, as well as many related to Georgia Tech, openly fought to bar either Grier, Pitt or the Yellow Jacket team from the game. However, students and football players from the Atlanta-based school, civil rights leaders, as well as a large number of the Pitt community, succeeded in ensuring that the game took place.
Corruption charges
Griffin's term was marred by charges of corruption. According to Atlanta historian Frederick Allen, Griffin was "a man of prodigious charm and wit and also one of the most corrupt public officials ever to hold office in Georgia." Several administration members were found guilty of crimes and Griffin was investigated by a grand jury in 1960.1962 election
In 1962, Griffin ran for Governor, losing to Carl E. Sanders. Griffin retired from politics after that campaign, although he was a temporary candidate for Vice President on the American Independent PartyAmerican Independent Party
The American Independent Party is a right-wing political party of the United States that was established in 1967 by Bill and Eileen Shearer. In 1968, the American Independent Party nominated George C. Wallace as its presidential candidate and retired Air Force General Curtis E. LeMay as the vice...
ticket in 1968. Griffin was replaced by Curtis LeMay
Curtis LeMay
Curtis Emerson LeMay was a general in the United States Air Force and the vice presidential running mate of American Independent Party candidate George Wallace in 1968....
although his name stayed on the ballot in many states.
Post-gubernatorial career
Griffin returned to Bainbridge, GA and went into the real estate business. One of his proudest accomplishments was the creation of Bainbridge CollegeBainbridge College
Bainbridge College is a 2-year, Community College in the University System of Georgia. For more than 30 years, Bainbridge College has provided higher education to the residents of southwest Georgia...
in 1970 (classes began in 1973), of which he was a leading advocate and member of the Board of Directors. He also oversaw and directed the Decatur County Sesquicentennial in 1973.
Further reading
- Scott E. Buchanan. "Some of the People Who Ate My Barbecue Didn't Vote for Me": The Life of Georgia Governor Marvin Griffin (Vanderbilt University Press; 2011) 286 pages