Jim Folsom
| James Elisha "Jim" Folsom Sr. | |
|---|---|
| 42nd Governor of Alabama | |
|
In office January 20, 1947 – January 15, 1951 |
|
| Lieutenant | James C. Inzer |
| Preceded by | Chauncey Sparks |
| Succeeded by | Gordon Persons |
|
In office January 17, 1955 – January 19, 1959 |
|
| Lieutenant | William G. Hardwick |
| Preceded by | Gordon Persons |
| Succeeded by | John Malcolm Patterson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 9, 1908 Coffee County, Alabama |
| Died | November 21, 1987 (aged 79) Cullman, Alabama |
| Resting place | Cullman Cemetery in Cullman, Alabama |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah Folsom (?-1944; her death) Jamelle Folsom (1948-1987) |
| Alma mater |
University of Alabama |
| Profession | Sailor, businessman |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Merchant Marine |
| Years of service | 1930-1933 |
University of Alabama
Samford University
James Elisha Folsom Sr. (October 9, 1908 – November 21, 1987), commonly known as Jim Folsom or Big Jim Folsom, was the 42nd governor of the U.S. state of Alabama, having served from 1947 to 1951, and again from 1955 to 1959.
Born in Coffee County in southeastern Alabama, Folsom was among the first southern governors to embrace integration and enforcement of civil rights for African Americans. In his Christmas message on December 25, 1949, he said: "As long as the Negroes are held down by deprivation and lack of opportunity, the other poor people will be held down alongside them".
After service in the United States Merchant Marine in the early 1930s, Folsom became an insurance salesman. He attended the University of Alabama, Samford University in Birmingham, and George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; however, he never obtained a college degree.
Before his gubernatorial campaigns, he won a race only once: as delegate to the 1944 Democratic National Convention. He was a strong supporter of keeping Vice President Henry A. Wallace on the ticket, rather than replacing him with Harry S. Truman of Missouri, as it so developed.
...
Wikipedia