A. Willis Robertson
| Absalom Willis Robertson | |
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United States Senator from Virginia |
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In office November 6, 1946 – December 30, 1966 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas G. Burch |
| Succeeded by | William B. Spong, Jr. |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 7th district |
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In office March 4, 1933 – November 5, 1946 At-large: March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935 |
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| Preceded by | John W. Fishburne |
| Succeeded by | Burr P. Harrison |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from the 22nd district |
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In office January 12, 1916 – January 9, 1924 |
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| Preceded by | William T. Paxton |
| Succeeded by | Robert J. Noell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 27, 1887 Martinsburg, West Virginia |
| Died | November 1, 1971 (aged 84) Lexington, Virginia |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Gladys Churchill Willis |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
Absalom Willis Robertson (May 27, 1887 – November 1, 1971) was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party and ally of the Byrd Organization led by fellow U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Robertson represented Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives (1933–1946) and the U.S. Senate (1946–1966), and had earlier served in the Virginia General Assembly. A Dixiecrat or member of the conservative coalition during his congressional career, Robertson was also the father of televangelist Pat Robertson.
Robertson was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the son of Josephine Ragland (née Willis) and Franklin Pierce Robertson, just two weeks before fellow Virginia Senator Harry F. Byrd was born in the same community. He graduated from the University of Richmond in 1907.
Robertson then established a private law practice and began his elective career. He was elected to the Virginia State Senate as a Democrat in 1915 to represent Bedford and Rockbridge Counties and Buena Vista, Virginia in Senate district 22, replacing W. T. Paxton, who had replaced J. Randolph Tucker in 1913. Robertson served from 1916 to 1922, when he resigned and was replaced by Samuel S. Lambeth Jr. in the February 1923 special session but Robert J. Noell won the election to succeed him later that year. During World War I, Robertson enlisted and served in the United States Army, but was assigned stateside so he could continue that part-time elective office.
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