Robert B. Lindsay

Robert Burns Lindsay ( born July 3, 1824 in Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, † February 13, 1902 in Tuscumbia, Alabama ) was an American politician (Democratic Party) and from 1870 to 1872 the 22nd Governor of Alabama.

Early years and political rise

Robert Lindsay attended a parochial school and then the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland. In 1844 he came to the United States and visited his brother in North Carolina. He remained there and began to study law and to teach. Lindsay moved in 1849 after Tuscumbia in Alabama and taught there until 1852., He was admitted as a solicitor in 1852, after which he opened his own law firm and served in the Confederate Army. Lindsay first stepped onto the political stage when he was elected in 1853 in the House of Representatives from Alabama. He also sat in Alabama Senate in 1857, 1865 and 1870. Moreover, Lindsay was in 1860 a member of the Electoral College.

Governor of Alabama

The former Governor William Smith stood for re-election in 1870, but was defeated in a head - to-head race. Lindsay was on November 8, 1870, the 22nd Governor of Alabama; however, Smith refused. to vacate his governor 's seat, and occupied this three weeks after the inauguration Lindsay. The second district judge ordered Smith to vacate his office, which he did on 26 November 1870. On the same day Lindsay was sworn. During his tenure in 1871, the cities Gadsen and Birmingham were established, as well as (now Auburn University) opened the Alabama Polytechnic Institute. Furthermore, the debate on the State participation in the railway put the General Assembly lame during much of his tenure. Lindsay, the only foreign-born citizen, who was Alabama's governor, declined re-election and left office on 17 November 1872.

Further CV

Lindsay took his work as a lawyer again. Two months after he resigned, he was suddenly taken ill from paralysis, from which he rest of his life never recovered. Lindsay died on February 12, 1902 and was buried at the Winston Family Cemetery in Tuscumbia. He was married to Sarah Miller Winston and together they had nine children.