Gordon Persons

Seth Gordon Persons (February 5, 1902 – May 29, 1965) was an American Democratic politician who was the 43rd Governor of Alabama from 1951 to 1955. He was born and died in Montgomery, Alabama. The Dauphin Island Bridge south of Mobile is formally named for him. The Gordon Persons Building is a six floor, 60,000 square foot state government office building in Montgomery.[1]

Seth Gordon Persons
43rd Governor of Alabama
In office
January 15, 1951 – January 17, 1955
LieutenantJames Allen
Preceded byJim Folsom
Succeeded byJim Folsom
Personal details
Born(1902-02-05)February 5, 1902
Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
DiedMay 29, 1965(1965-05-29) (aged 63)
Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
Resting placeGreenwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Alice Boyd McKeithen (m. 1928-1965, his death)
Alma materAuburn University

Persons studied electrical engineering in college, leading to a very successful business running electrical lines in rural Alabama (benefiting from Rural Electrification Administration contracts); in addition to financial gain, he also won considerable popularity.

When running for office in 1950, Persons gained notoriety by touring the state in a helicopter (prompting one opponent to dub him "the man from Mars"). He won the Democratic nomination by defeating a crowded field that included former governor Chauncey Sparks. In office, his notable accomplishments included abolishing flogging in Alabama's prisons, advocating for the establishment of Alabama Public Television, and imposing speed limits on state highways. Persons largely accomplished his goal of having four years of "no fighting," maintaining a truce among the various wings of the state Democratic Party. At the end of his term, Persons ordered the National Guard into Phenix City after the assassination of Attorney-General-elect Albert Patterson.

After leaving office as governor, Persons never sought statewide public office again, but he made an unsuccessful run for circuit judge late in life.

Persons attended Auburn University for one one year. While at Auburn, Persons served as president of a student organization (known as the "Boxcar Reds and Boxcar Blacks") that traveled to away football games.

References
  1. "Gordon Persons Building". Exploring Montgomery. Retrieved 2020-06-09.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Jim Folsom		 Democratic nominee for Governor of Alabama
1950		 Succeeded by
Jim Folsom
Political offices
Preceded by
Jim Folsom		 Governor of Alabama
1951–1955		 Succeeded by
Jim Folsom
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