| Samuel Marvin Griffin, Sr. | |
|---|---|
| 72nd Governor of Georgia | |
| In office January 11, 1955 – January 13, 1959 |
|
| Lieutenant | Ernest Vandiver |
| Preceded by | Herman Talmadge |
| Succeeded by | Ernest Vandiver |
| 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Georgia | |
| In office November 17, 1948 – January 11, 1955 |
|
| Governor | Herman Talmadge |
| Preceded by | Melvin E. Thompson |
| Succeeded by | Ernest Vandiver |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 4, 1907 Bainbridge, Georgia, United States |
| Died | June 13, 1982 (aged 74) Georgia, United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Elizabeth "Lib" Smith Laura Jane Gibson "Lollie" |
| Children | Patricia Ann Samuel Marvin, Jr. |
| Alma mater | The Citadel |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941 - 1947 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
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.
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Griffin was born in Bainbridge, Georgia and graduated from The Citadel in 1929. He taught in Virginia for a short time before moving back to Bainbridge.[1]
In 1934, Griffin, a life-long Democrat, 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.
When America entered World War II, Griffin was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel in the army, and later rose to the rank of brigadier general. He was appointed adjutant general of the Georgia National Guard in 1944, serving in that position until 1947.
Griffin became the first elected Lieutenant Governor of Georgia 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.
Griffin was seen as the successor to Governor Herman Talmadge 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."[2]
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 Scotia, 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.[3]
Much controversy preceded the 1956 Sugar Bowl, 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.[4] 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.
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.
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 in 1968. Griffin was replaced by Curtis LeMay although his name stayed on the ballot in many states.
Griffin returned to Bainbridge, GA and went into the real estate business. One of his proudest accomplishments was the creation of Bainbridge College 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.
Griffin died in 1982 from lung cancer.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Melvin E. Thompson |
Lieutenant Governor of Georgia November 17, 1948 – January 11, 1955 |
Succeeded by Ernest Vandiver, Jr. |
| Preceded by Herman Talmadge |
Governor of Georgia January 11, 1955 – January 13, 1959 |
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