Marvin Griffin

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Marvin Griffin

Samuel Marvin Griffin (September 4, 1907– June 13, 1982) was a politician from the U.S. state of Georgia. He served as Governor of Georgia from 1955 to 1959

Griffin was born in Bainbridge, Georgia and he graduated from The Citadel in 1929. He taught in Virginia for a short time before moving back to Bainbridge.

In 1934, Griffin was elected to the 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.

When America entered World War II, Griffin enlisted in the army, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was appointed adjutant general of the Georgia National Guard in 1944. Griffin became the first elected lieutenant governor of Georgia to serve after he won a special election in 1948. Griffin was elected to a full term in 1950.

Griffin was seen as the successor to Governor Herman Talmadge and he won the governorship in 1954. As Governor, Griffin, a Democrat, 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."^{[citation needed]}

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."^{[citation needed]} Several administration members were found guilty of crimes and Griffin was investigated by a grand jury in 1960.

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 Party ticket. Griffin was replaced by Curtis LeMay although his name stayed on the ballot in many states. Griffin died in 1982 from lung cancer.