The Players

Click on an
image for
that person's
website.

Eugene Talmadge

Herman Talmadge

M.E. Thompson

Marvin Griffin

Three Governors Home

Ellis Arnall
(1907-1992)

Ellis Arnall
Ellis Arnall being sworn in as governor in January 1943 while a forlorn
Eugene Talmadge (seated, extreme right) listens.

Dubbed Georgia "Boy Governor," Ellis Arnall was only 35 when he became governor in 1942.  He defeated Eugene Talmadge due to the scandal at the University of Georgia.  Barred from serving a second consecutive term as governor, Arnall eventually stepped down as governor in January 1947.

Ellis Arnall would never again hold elective officeafter 1947.  Despite being a young man at the time, Arnall stayed out of politics until 1966 when he ran once again for governor.  However, Arnall was defeated for the Democratic nomination by Lester Maddox. After losing the Democratic nomination, Arnall led a write-in campaign for himself in the general election which resulted in the General Assembly having to choose the governor once again.  This time, the legislature had to choose between the Democratic nominee, Lester Maddox, and the Republican nominee, Bo Callaway.  Arnall returned to private life and died in 1992.

The Confrontation
Ellis Arnall refusing to relinquish the governorship to "Pretender" Herman Talmadge.





This page is part of the Columbus State University web site. The views and opinions expressed on this page are strictly those of the page author and are not necessarily endorsed by Columbus State University. Send mail to the CSU Webmaster with questions or comments about this web site.