This is a list of Governors of Tennessee

Tennessee

Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...

, a state located in the Southeastern

Southeastern United States

The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....

 United States.

It is noteworthy that, following nearly 50 years of the Democratic Party holding the Tennessee governorship during the mid-20th century, since 1967 no two successive governors have belonged to the same party. The Republicans won the 2010 election therefore continuing this trend, a unique occurrence given nearby Southern states' generally gradually moved over that same period from a fixed Democratic preference to that of a Republican in their governorships.

Governors of Tennessee

Name	Term	Party	Life	State of Birth	Occupation	Notes
William Blount William Blount William Blount, was a United States statesman. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention for North Carolina, the first and only governor of the Southwest Territory, and Democratic-Republican Senator from Tennessee . He played a major role in establishing the state of Tennessee. He was the...	September 20, 1790 – March 30, 1796	Democratic-Republican	1749–1800	NC	Soldier
John Sevier John Sevier John Sevier served four years as the only governor of the State of Franklin and twelve years as Governor of Tennessee. As a U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1811 until his death...	March 30, 1796 – September 23, 1801	Democratic-Republican	1745–1815	VA	Soldier, pioneer
Archibald Roane Archibald Roane Archibald Roane was the second Governor of Tennessee, serving from 1801 to 1803.-Biography:Roane was born in 1759 or 1760 in Derry Township, Pennsylvania, then a part of Lancaster County. He was the son of Andrew and Margaret Walker Roane...	September 23, 1801 – September 23, 1803	Democratic-Republican	1760–1819	PA	Lawyer
John Sevier John Sevier John Sevier served four years as the only governor of the State of Franklin and twelve years as Governor of Tennessee. As a U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1811 until his death...	September 23, 1803 – September 20, 1809	Democratic-Republican	1745–1815	VA	Soldier, pioneer
Willie Blount Willie Blount Willie Blount served as Governor of Tennessee from 1809 to 1815. He was the younger half-brother of William Blount, representative of North Carolina to the Continental Congress and governor of the Southwest Territory....	September 20, 1809 – September 27, 1815	Democratic-Republican	1768–1835	NC	Lawyer, planter
Joseph McMinn Joseph McMinn Joseph McMinn was governor of Tennessee from 1815 to 1821.-Biography:A native of Pennsylvania and a Quaker, he arrived in Tennessee in 1787. He was twice elected to serve in the legislature of the Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio , in 1794 and 1796...	September 27, 1815 – October 1, 1821	Democratic-Republican	1758–1824	PA	Merchant
William Carroll	October 1, 1821 – October 1, 1827	Democratic-Republican	1788–1844	PA	Merchant, soldier
Sam Houston Sam Houston Samuel Houston, known as Sam Houston , was a 19th-century American statesman, politician, and soldier. He was born in Timber Ridge in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, of Scots-Irish descent. Houston became a key figure in the history of Texas and was elected as the first and third President of...	October 1, 1827 – April 16, 1829	Democratic-Republican	1793–1863	VA	Lawyer
William Hall	April 16, 1829 – October 1, 1829	Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...	1775–1856	NC	Planter, soldier
William Carroll	October 1, 1829 – October 12, 1835	Democratic	1788–1844	PA	Merchant, soldier
Newton Cannon Newton Cannon Newton Cannon was an American politician who was a member of the Tennessee State Senate from 1811 to 1812 and 1829 to 1830, the U.S. House of Representatives from 1814 to 1817 and 1819 to 1823, and Governor of the U.S...	October 12, 1835 – October 14, 1839	Whig Whig Party (United States) The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...	1781–1841	NC	Planter
James K. Polk James K. Polk James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...	October 14, 1839 – October 15, 1841	Democratic	1795–1849	NC	Lawyer/President
James C. Jones James C. Jones James Chamberlain Jones was the Governor of Tennessee from 1841 to 1845, and a United States Senator from that state from 1851 to 1857...	October 15, 1841 – October 14, 1845	Whig	1809–1859	TN	Lawyer
Aaron V. Brown Aaron V. Brown Aaron Venable Brown was a Governor of Tennessee and Postmaster General in the Buchanan administration. He was also the law partner of James K. Polk.-Biography:...	October 14, 1845 – October 17, 1847	Democratic	1795–1859	VA	Lawyer
Neill S. Brown Neill S. Brown Neill Smith Brown was Governor of Tennessee from 1847 to 1849.-Biography:Neill Brown was born in Giles County, Tennessee. He taught school in his native county to work his way through college. He was admitted to the bar in 1834, and later fought with the 1st Tennessee in the Second Seminole War...	October 17, 1847 – October 16, 1849	Whig	1810–1886	TN	Lawyer
William Trousdale William Trousdale William Trousdale was Governor of Tennessee from 1849 to 1851.Trousdale was a protege of Andrew Jackson, having served under him in the Creek War and acquiring the nickname, "The War Horse of Sumner County" in that conflict. He was a Democrat...	October 16, 1849 – October 16, 1851	Democratic	1790–1872	NC	Lawyer
William B. Campbell William B. Campbell William Bowen Campbell was governor of Tennessee from 1851 to 1853.-Biography:Campbell was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, later leaving to study law in Virginia. He returned to Tennessee in 1829 in order to establish a law practice at Carthage, in Smith County...	October 16, 1851 – October 17, 1853	Whig	1807–1867	TN	Lawyer
Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...	October 17, 1853 – November 3, 1857	Democratic	1808–1875	NC	Tailor, President
Isham G. Harris Isham G. Harris Isham Green Harris was an American politician. He served as Governor of Tennessee from 1857 to 1862 and as a U.S. Senator from 1877 until his death....	November 3, 1857 – March 12, 1862	Democratic	1818–1897	TN	Lawyer, U.S. Senator United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...	March 12, 1862 – March 4, 1865	Unionist/Military Unionist Party (United States) The Union Party was a fusion political party conceived by Republicans in 1861 to combine people of all political affiliations into a single movement committed to the preservation of the Union and to war. Republicans wanted to project an image of wartime nonpartisanship and they also expected to...	1808–1875	NC	Tailor, President
Edward H. East Edward H. East Edward Hazzard East , also known as E. H. East, served as Secretary of State for the U.S. state of Tennessee from 1862-1865, having been appointed by Andrew Johnson, the military governor of the state under Union occupation during the American Civil War...	March 4, 1865 – April 5, 1865	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	1830–1904
William G. Brownlow	April 5, 1865 – February 25, 1869	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	1805–1877	VA	Editor, preacher
Dewitt Clinton Senter Dewitt Clinton Senter Dewitt Clinton Senter was governor of Tennessee from 1869 to 1871.-Biography:Senter was the son of a Methodist minister and was born in McMinn County, Tennessee. He was admitted to the bar after reading law on his own and passing the examination, a fairly common practice of the era. He was first...	February 25, 1869 – October 10, 1871	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	1830–1898	TN	Lawyer
John C. Brown John C. Brown John Calvin Brown was a Confederate general during the American Civil War and the Governor of Tennessee from 1871 to 1875, the first Democrat to be elected to that position following the war.-Early life:...	October 10, 1871 – January 18, 1875	Democratic	1827–1889	TN	Lawyer
James D. Porter, Jr. James D. Porter, Jr. James Davis Porter was governor of the U.S. state of Tennessee from 1875 to 1879.-Biography:A native of Paris, Tennessee, Porter graduated from the former University of Nashville at age 18. He was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly in 1859. When the American Civil War loomed, Porter sided...	January 18, 1875 – February 16, 1879	Democratic	1828–1912	TN	Lawyer, educator
Albert S. Marks Albert S. Marks Albert Smith Marks was governor of the U.S. state of Tennessee from 1879 to 1881. He was a Democrat. A former Confederate military officer who had lost a leg in the American Civil War and Chancery Court judge, he did not seek re-election and after his term resumed his practice as an...	February 16, 1879 – January 17, 1881	Democratic	1836–1891	KY	Lawyer, chancellor
Alvin Hawkins Alvin Hawkins Alvin Hawkins was governor of Tennessee from 1881 to 1883.-Biography:He was a native of Kentucky who had been brought to Tennessee at age four. He was admitted to the bar as an attorney in 1843 and opened a law practice...	January 17, 1881 – January 15, 1883	Republican	1821–1905	KY	Lawyer, judge
William B. Bate William B. Bate William Brimage Bate was the governor of Tennessee from 1883 to 1887 and subsequently a United States Senator from Tennessee from 1887 until his death...	January 15, 1883 – January 17, 1887	Democratic	1826–1905	TN	Lawyer, U.S. Senator
Robert Love Taylor Robert Love Taylor Robert Love Taylor was a U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1879 to 1881, Governor of Tennessee from 1887 to 1891 and from 1897 to 1899, and subsequently a United States Senator from that state from 1907 until his death. He is notable for winning the governor's office in an election against...	January 17, 1887 – January 19, 1891	Democratic	1850–1912	TN	Lawyer, U.S. Senator
John P. Buchanan John P. Buchanan John Price Buchanan was Governor of the U.S. State of Tennessee from 1891 to 1893. He was a native of Williamson County, Tennessee....	January 19, 1891 – January 16, 1893	Farm-Labor	1847–1930	TN	Farmer
Peter Turney Peter Turney Peter Turney was governor of the U.S. state of Tennessee from 1893 to 1897.- Biography :Prior to becoming governor, Turney was a prominent attorney in Winchester, Tennessee, practicing law with his father, and a Confederate colonel in the Civil War...	January 16, 1893 – January 21, 1897	Democratic	1827–1903	TN	Lawyer, judge
Robert Love Taylor Robert Love Taylor Robert Love Taylor was a U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1879 to 1881, Governor of Tennessee from 1887 to 1891 and from 1897 to 1899, and subsequently a United States Senator from that state from 1907 until his death. He is notable for winning the governor's office in an election against...	January 21, 1897 – January 16, 1899	Democratic	1850–1912	TN	Lawyer, U.S. Senator
Benton McMillin Benton McMillin Benton McMillin was governor of the U.S. state of Tennessee from 1899 to 1903. A Democrat, he was a native of Monroe County, Kentucky and an attorney.-Biography:...	January 16, 1899 – January 19, 1903	Democratic	1845–1933	KY	Lawyer, diplomat
James B. Frazier James B. Frazier James Beriah Frazier was Governor of Tennessee from 1903 to 1905 and subsequently a United States Senator from Tennessee from 1905 to 1911.-Biography:...	January 19, 1903 – March 21, 1905	Democratic	1856–1937	TN	Lawyer, U.S. Senator
John I. Cox John I. Cox John Isaac Cox was Governor of Tennessee from 1905 to 1907.-Biography:Cox was born in Sullivan County, Tennessee, on November 23, 1855, and was the son of a Confederate soldier, which was less common in East Tennessee than in the rest of the state, as East Tennessee was one of the Southern...	March 21, 1905 – January 17, 1907	Democratic	1855–1946	TN	Lawyer
Malcolm R. Patterson Malcolm R. Patterson Malcolm Rice Patterson was the governor of the U.S. state of Tennessee from 1907 to 1911.-Biography:A native of Somerville, Alabama, Patterson was a son of Colonel Josiah Patterson, a distinguished Confederate cavalry officer and a United States Representative for Tennessee, and his wife Josephine...	January 17, 1907 – January 26, 1911	Democratic	1861–1935	AL	Lawyer, judge
Ben W. Hooper Ben W. Hooper Ben Walter Hooper was governor of the U.S. state of Tennessee from 1911 to 1915.-Biography:Hooper, who was of illegitimate birth, spent part of his childhood in an orphanage, was unofficially "adopted" by members of his rural Baptist church, and was belatedly acknowledged by his natural father, a...	January 26, 1911 – January 17, 1915	Republican	1870–1957	TN	Lawyer
Tom C. Rye	January 17, 1915 – January 15, 1919	Democratic	1863–1953	TN	Lawyer, judge
A. H. Roberts	January 15, 1919 – January 15, 1921	Democratic	1868–1946	TN	Lawyer, judge
Alfred A. Taylor Alfred A. Taylor Alfred Alexander Taylor, nickname Alf Taylor , was a lawyer and politician, serving as United States Congressman from 1889–1895, and later elected the Governor of Tennessee, serving from 1921 to 1923. Notably, in 1886 he lost the gubernatorial race to his younger brother Robert, a Democrat.- Early...	January 15, 1921 – January 16, 1923	Republican	1848–1931	TN	Lawyer
Austin Peay Austin Peay Austin Peay was Governor of Tennessee from 1923 until his death in 1927.-Biography:Peay, a native of Kentucky, moved to Clarksville, Tennessee and opened a law practice in 1896. He was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1901 and re-elected in 1903...	January 16, 1923 – October 3, 1927	Democratic	1876–1927	KY	Lawyer
Henry Hollis Horton Henry Hollis Horton Henry Hollis Horton was Governor of Tennessee from 1927 to 1933.-Biography:Horton was born in Alabama into the family of a Baptist minister. He taught school for six years before being admitted to the bar in 1894. He served several terms in the legislature, and was elected speaker of the...	October 3, 1927 – January 17, 1933	Democratic	1866–1934	AL	Lawyer, farmer
Harry Hill McAlister	January 17, 1933 – January 15, 1937	Democratic	1875–1959	TN	Lawyer
Gordon Browning Gordon Browning Gordon Weaver Browning was an American politician who represented Tennessee in the United States Congress and was later Governor of Tennessee from 1937 to 1939 and again from 1949 to 1953.-Biography:...	January 15, 1937 – January 16, 1939	Democratic	1889–1976	TN	Lawyer, judge
Prentice Cooper Prentice Cooper William Prentice Cooper was an American politician and Governor of Tennessee from 1939 to 1945.-Life and career:A native of Bedford County, Tennessee, he attended Vanderbilt University and then Harvard University...	January 16, 1939 – January 16, 1945	Democratic	1895–1969	TN	Lawyer
Jim Nance McCord Jim Nance McCord Jim Nance McCord was an American journalist and politician who served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives and two terms as Governor of Tennessee ....	January 16, 1945 – January 16, 1949	Democratic	1879–1968	TN	Editor
Gordon Browning Gordon Browning Gordon Weaver Browning was an American politician who represented Tennessee in the United States Congress and was later Governor of Tennessee from 1937 to 1939 and again from 1949 to 1953.-Biography:...	January 16, 1949 – January 15, 1953	Democratic	1889–1976	TN	Lawyer, Judge
Frank G. Clement Frank G. Clement Frank Goad Clement served as Governor of Tennessee from 1953 to 1959, and again from 1963 to 1967.-Early life:...	January 15, 1953 – January 19, 1959	Democratic	1920–1969	TN	Lawyer
Buford Ellington Buford Ellington Earl Buford Ellington , a native of Mississippi, was the 42nd Governor of Tennessee from 1959 to 1963 and again from 1967 until 1971....	January 19, 1959 – January 15, 1963	Democratic	1907–1972	MS	Farmer
Frank G. Clement Frank G. Clement Frank Goad Clement served as Governor of Tennessee from 1953 to 1959, and again from 1963 to 1967.-Early life:...	January 15, 1963 – January 16, 1967	Democratic	1920–1969	TN	Lawyer
Buford Ellington Buford Ellington Earl Buford Ellington , a native of Mississippi, was the 42nd Governor of Tennessee from 1959 to 1963 and again from 1967 until 1971....	January 16, 1967 – January 16, 1971	Democratic	1907–1972	MS	Farmer
Winfield Dunn Winfield Dunn Bryant Winfield Culberson Dunn was the 43rd Governor of Tennessee, from 1971 to 1975.-Biography:Dunn was born in Meridian, Mississippi. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1950 with a B.B.A., and from the University of Tennessee Medical Units in Memphis in 1955 with a D.D.S. Dunn...	January 16, 1971 – January 18, 1975	Republican	b. 1927	MS	Dentist
Ray Blanton Ray Blanton Leonard Ray Blanton was the 44th Governor of Tennessee from 1975 to 1979. Blanton's administration was rife with corruption.-Early life and Congress:...	January 18, 1975 – January 16, 1979	Democratic	1930–1996	TN	Farmer, businessman
Lamar Alexander Lamar Alexander Andrew Lamar Alexander is the senior United States Senator from Tennessee and Conference Chair of the Republican Party. He was previously the 45th Governor of Tennessee from 1979 to 1987, United States Secretary of Education from 1991 to 1993 under President George H. W...	January 16, 1979 – January 17, 1987	Republican	b. 1940	TN	Lawyer, US Senator
Ned McWherter Ned McWherter Ned Ray McWherter was an American politician who served as the 46th Governor of Tennessee from 1987 to 1995. He was a Democrat.McWherter was born in Palmersville, Weakley County, Tennessee...	January 17, 1987 – January 21, 1995	Democratic	1930–2011	TN	Businessman
Don Sundquist Don Sundquist Donald Kenneth Sundquist is a former governor and congressman from Tennessee. A Republican, he served as the 47th Governor of Tennessee from 1995 to 2003...	January 21, 1995 – January 18, 2003	Republican	b. 1936	IL	Businessman
Phil Bredesen Phil Bredesen Philip Norman "Phil" Bredesen Jr. was the 48th Governor of Tennessee, serving from 2003 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected Governor in 2002, and was re-elected in 2006. He previously served as the fourth mayor of Nashville and Davidson County from 1991 to...	January 18, 2003 – January 15, 2011	Democratic	b. 1943	NJ	Businessman
Bill Haslam Bill Haslam William Edward "Bill" Haslam is the 49th and current Governor of Tennessee. A member of the Republican Party, Haslam was elected to office in 2010...	January 15, 2011 – present	Republican	b. 1958	TN	Businessman

Other high offices held

This is a table of congressional seats, other federal offices, and other governorships held by governors. All representatives and senators mentioned represented Tennessee except where noted. * denotes those offices which the governor resigned to take.

Name	Gubernatorial term	U.S. Congress United States Congress The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....		Other offices held
		House United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...	Senate United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
William Blount William Blount William Blount, was a United States statesman. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention for North Carolina, the first and only governor of the Southwest Territory, and Democratic-Republican Senator from Tennessee . He played a major role in establishing the state of Tennessee. He was the...	1790–1796 (territorial)		S
John Sevier John Sevier John Sevier served four years as the only governor of the State of Franklin and twelve years as Governor of Tennessee. As a U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1811 until his death...	1796–1801, 1803–1809	H		U.S. Representative from North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte... ; Governor of the State of Franklin State of Franklin The State of Franklin, known also as the Free Republic of Franklin or the State of Frankland , was an unrecognized autonomous United States territory created in 1784 from part of the territory west of the Appalachian Mountains that had been offered,...
Sam Houston Sam Houston Samuel Houston, known as Sam Houston , was a 19th-century American statesman, politician, and soldier. He was born in Timber Ridge in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, of Scots-Irish descent. Houston became a key figure in the history of Texas and was elected as the first and third President of...	1827–1829	H		President of the Republic of Texas Republic of Texas The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S... ; U.S. Senator from Texas; Governor of Texas Governor of Texas The governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
William Hall William Hall (governor) William Hall was the Governor of the state of Tennessee from April to October 1829.-Biography:Hall was a native of North Carolina but came to Tennessee while still a young man and became a prosperous farmer as well as a political leader...	1829	H
Newton Cannon Newton Cannon Newton Cannon was an American politician who was a member of the Tennessee State Senate from 1811 to 1812 and 1829 to 1830, the U.S. House of Representatives from 1814 to 1817 and 1819 to 1823, and Governor of the U.S...	1835–1839	H
James K. Polk James K. Polk James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...	1839–1841	H		11th President of the United States President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
James C. Jones James C. Jones James Chamberlain Jones was the Governor of Tennessee from 1841 to 1845, and a United States Senator from that state from 1851 to 1857...	1841–1845		S
Aaron V. Brown Aaron V. Brown Aaron Venable Brown was a Governor of Tennessee and Postmaster General in the Buchanan administration. He was also the law partner of James K. Polk.-Biography:...	1845–1847	H		United States Postmaster General United States Postmaster General The United States Postmaster General is the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Postal Service. The office, in one form or another, is older than both the United States Constitution and the United States Declaration of Independence...
Neill S. Brown Neill S. Brown Neill Smith Brown was Governor of Tennessee from 1847 to 1849.-Biography:Neill Brown was born in Giles County, Tennessee. He taught school in his native county to work his way through college. He was admitted to the bar in 1834, and later fought with the 1st Tennessee in the Second Seminole War...	1847–1849			United States Minister to Russia
William Trousdale William Trousdale William Trousdale was Governor of Tennessee from 1849 to 1851.Trousdale was a protege of Andrew Jackson, having served under him in the Creek War and acquiring the nickname, "The War Horse of Sumner County" in that conflict. He was a Democrat...	1849–1851			United States Minister to Brazil United States Ambassador to Brazil The following is a list of Ambassadors of the United States, or other chiefs of mission, to Brazil. The title given by the United States State Department to this position is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.-See also:...
William B. Campbell William B. Campbell William Bowen Campbell was governor of Tennessee from 1851 to 1853.-Biography:Campbell was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, later leaving to study law in Virginia. He returned to Tennessee in 1829 in order to establish a law practice at Carthage, in Smith County...	1851–1853	H
Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...	1853–1857, 1862–1865	H	S	17th President of the United States President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.... ; 16th Vice President of the United States Vice President of the United States The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Isham G. Harris Isham G. Harris Isham Green Harris was an American politician. He served as Governor of Tennessee from 1857 to 1862 and as a U.S. Senator from 1877 until his death....	1857–1862	H	S
William G. Brownlow William Gannaway Brownlow William Gannaway "Parson" Brownlow was an American newspaper editor, minister, and politician who served as Governor of the state of Tennessee from 1865 to 1869 and as a United States Senator from Tennessee from 1869 to 1875...	1865–1869		S
James D. Porter, Jr. James D. Porter, Jr. James Davis Porter was governor of the U.S. state of Tennessee from 1875 to 1879.-Biography:A native of Paris, Tennessee, Porter graduated from the former University of Nashville at age 18. He was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly in 1859. When the American Civil War loomed, Porter sided...	1875–1879			United States Minister to Chile United States Ambassador to Chile The following is a list of Ambassadors that the United States has sent to Chile. The current title given by the United States State Department to this position is Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.-See also:*Chile – United States relations...
William B. Bate William B. Bate William Brimage Bate was the governor of Tennessee from 1883 to 1887 and subsequently a United States Senator from Tennessee from 1887 until his death...	1883–1887		S
Robert Love Taylor Robert Love Taylor Robert Love Taylor was a U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1879 to 1881, Governor of Tennessee from 1887 to 1891 and from 1897 to 1899, and subsequently a United States Senator from that state from 1907 until his death. He is notable for winning the governor's office in an election against...	1897–1899	H	S
Benton McMillin Benton McMillin Benton McMillin was governor of the U.S. state of Tennessee from 1899 to 1903. A Democrat, he was a native of Monroe County, Kentucky and an attorney.-Biography:...	1899–1903	H		United States Minister to Peru United States Ambassador to Peru The following is a list of United States Ambassadors, or other Chiefs of Mission, to Peru. The title given by the United States State Department to this position is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.-See also:... ; United States Minister to Guatemala United States Ambassador to Guatemala The following is a list of Ambassadors of the United States, or other chiefs of mission, to Guatemala. The title given by the United States State Department to this position is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.-See also:...
James B. Frazier James B. Frazier James Beriah Frazier was Governor of Tennessee from 1903 to 1905 and subsequently a United States Senator from Tennessee from 1905 to 1911.-Biography:...	1903–1905		S*
Malcolm R. Patterson Malcolm R. Patterson Malcolm Rice Patterson was the governor of the U.S. state of Tennessee from 1907 to 1911.-Biography:A native of Somerville, Alabama, Patterson was a son of Colonel Josiah Patterson, a distinguished Confederate cavalry officer and a United States Representative for Tennessee, and his wife Josephine...	1907–1911	H
Alfred A. Taylor Alfred A. Taylor Alfred Alexander Taylor, nickname Alf Taylor , was a lawyer and politician, serving as United States Congressman from 1889–1895, and later elected the Governor of Tennessee, serving from 1921 to 1923. Notably, in 1886 he lost the gubernatorial race to his younger brother Robert, a Democrat.- Early...	1921–1923	H
Gordon Browning Gordon Browning Gordon Weaver Browning was an American politician who represented Tennessee in the United States Congress and was later Governor of Tennessee from 1937 to 1939 and again from 1949 to 1953.-Biography:...	1937–1939, 1949–1953	H
Prentice Cooper Prentice Cooper William Prentice Cooper was an American politician and Governor of Tennessee from 1939 to 1945.-Life and career:A native of Bedford County, Tennessee, he attended Vanderbilt University and then Harvard University...	1939–1945			United States Ambassador to Peru United States Ambassador to Peru The following is a list of United States Ambassadors, or other Chiefs of Mission, to Peru. The title given by the United States State Department to this position is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.-See also:...
Jim Nance McCord Jim Nance McCord Jim Nance McCord was an American journalist and politician who served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives and two terms as Governor of Tennessee ....	1945–1949	H
Ray Blanton Ray Blanton Leonard Ray Blanton was the 44th Governor of Tennessee from 1975 to 1979. Blanton's administration was rife with corruption.-Early life and Congress:...	1975–1979	H
Lamar Alexander Lamar Alexander Andrew Lamar Alexander is the senior United States Senator from Tennessee and Conference Chair of the Republican Party. He was previously the 45th Governor of Tennessee from 1979 to 1987, United States Secretary of Education from 1991 to 1993 under President George H. W...	1979–1987		S	United States Secretary of Education United States Secretary of Education The United States Secretary of Education is the head of the Department of Education. The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet, and 16th in line of United States presidential line of succession...
Don Sundquist Don Sundquist Donald Kenneth Sundquist is a former governor and congressman from Tennessee. A Republican, he served as the 47th Governor of Tennessee from 1995 to 2003...	1995–2003	H

Living former governors

, four former governors were alive, the oldest being Winfield Dunn

Winfield Dunn

Bryant Winfield Culberson Dunn was the 43rd Governor of Tennessee, from 1971 to 1975.-Biography:Dunn was born in Meridian, Mississippi. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1950 with a B.B.A., and from the University of Tennessee Medical Units in Memphis in 1955 with a D.D.S. Dunn...

 (1971–1975, born 1927). The most recent governor to die was Ned McWherter

Ned McWherter

Ned Ray McWherter was an American politician who served as the 46th Governor of Tennessee from 1987 to 1995. He was a Democrat.McWherter was born in Palmersville, Weakley County, Tennessee...

 (1987–1995), on April 4, 2011.

Name	Gubernatorial term	Date of birth
Winfield Dunn Winfield Dunn Bryant Winfield Culberson Dunn was the 43rd Governor of Tennessee, from 1971 to 1975.-Biography:Dunn was born in Meridian, Mississippi. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1950 with a B.B.A., and from the University of Tennessee Medical Units in Memphis in 1955 with a D.D.S. Dunn...	1971–1975	July 01, 1927 (age 84)
Lamar Alexander Lamar Alexander Andrew Lamar Alexander is the senior United States Senator from Tennessee and Conference Chair of the Republican Party. He was previously the 45th Governor of Tennessee from 1979 to 1987, United States Secretary of Education from 1991 to 1993 under President George H. W...	1979–1987	July 03, 1940 (age 71)
Don Sundquist Don Sundquist Donald Kenneth Sundquist is a former governor and congressman from Tennessee. A Republican, he served as the 47th Governor of Tennessee from 1995 to 2003...	1995–2003	March 15, 1936 (age 75)
Phil Bredesen Phil Bredesen Philip Norman "Phil" Bredesen Jr. was the 48th Governor of Tennessee, serving from 2003 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected Governor in 2002, and was re-elected in 2006. He previously served as the fourth mayor of Nashville and Davidson County from 1991 to...	2003–2011	November 21, 1943 (age 68)

External links

• Tennessee Blue Book: Historical Listings of Constitutional Officers
• Tennessee Blue Book: Past Governors of Tennessee