Randall L. Gibson

Randall L. Gibson

United States Senator from Louisiana
In office 1883 - 1892
Preceded by	William P. Kellogg
Succeeded by	Donelson Caffery
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 1st district
In office 1875 - 1883
Preceded by	Effingham Lawrence
Succeeded by	Carleton Hunt

Born	September 10, 1832 Spring Hill, Kentucky
Died	December 15, 1892 Hot Springs, Arkansas
Political party	Democratic

Randall Lee Gibson (September 10, 1832 – December 15, 1892) was a U.S. Senator and a member of the House of Representatives from Louisiana. He was also an officer in the Confederate States of America military, a regent of the Smithsonian Institution, and a president of the board of administrators of Tulane University.

Gibson was the son of a plantation owner and was educated in leading Louisiana schools.

Soon after the state's secession from the Union, Gibson became an aide to Gov. Thomas O. Moore. In March 1861, he left the capital to join the 1st Louisiana Artillery. Later in the year, he was commissioned as colonel of the 13th Louisiana Infantry. Gibson fought at the Battle of Shiloh and subsequent actions. With the Army of Tennessee, he took part in the 1862 Kentucky Campaign and the Battle of Chickamauga. After being promoted to brigadier general on January 11, 1864, he fought in the Atlanta Campaign and the Franklin-Nashville Campaign; then was assigned to the defense of Mobile, Alabama. He inspired his troops to hold Spanish Fort, which was under siege, until the last moment, after which they escaped at night on March 8, 1865.

Gibson, a Democrat, was a representative from 1875 to 1883 and a senator from 1883 to 1892. He died while still a senator in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Gibson Hall on the campus of Tulane University is named for Senator Gibson, who was instrumental after the Civil War in helping to found the school.

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Preceded by Effingham Lawrence	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 1st congressional district 1875 – 1883	Succeeded by Carleton Hunt
Preceded by William P. Kellogg	United States Senator (Class 2) from Louisiana 1883–1892 Served alongside: Benjamin F. Jonas, James B. Eustis, Edward D. White	Succeeded by Donelson Caffery