Robert Evander McNair
Encyclopedia
Robert Evander McNair, Sr. (December 14, 1923 November 17, 2007), was the 108th governor of South Carolina, having served from 1965 to 1971.
, a town in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. In 1944, he married Josephine Robinson of Allendale
, South Carolina. He served in the U.S. Navy
during World War II, having been awarded a Bronze Star. After the war, he completed his bachelors degree in 1947 at the University of South Carolina
, followed by a law degree
at the same school in 1948. While attending USC, McNair served as the first Governor of the South Carolina Student Legislature and was initiated into the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He practiced law in Moncks Corner
and Allendale, South Carolina, from which he was elected in 1950 to the South Carolina House of Representatives
. He was elected lieutenant governor
in 1962, then succeeded Donald S. Russell
in 1965 when Russell resigned with the understanding that McNair would appoint him to a then-vacant United States Senate
seat, which McNair did.
McNair was a Democrat
and a pro-education governor. After his term as governor, he began McNair Law Firm, P.A. in Columbia. He was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame, and awarded an honorary doctorate in 2005 by Francis Marion University
, a school he signed into creation while governor in 1970. On May 21, 2009, McNair was inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame.
McNair was governor during the Orangeburg Massacre
in 1968, which he blamed on Black Power
advocates, and called it a stain on the state's good record in civil rights
. He said it was "one of the saddest days in the history of South Carolina." Following this, McNair became much more proactive in working to defuse tensions that were present during the integration
of the public schools.
McNair was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor
during a checkup on September 28, 2007, which he died from in Charleston
on November 17.
The following week, on November 25, 2007, the late Governor McNair's widow, former First Lady of South Carolina, Josephine Robinson McNair, died at age 84.
On December 19, 2007, about a month after her parents died, Claudia Crawford McNair, died at age 50. She was from Jamestown
in Berkeley County
, South Carolina.
On January 22, 2008, Governor and Mrs. McNair's only son, Robert E. McNair, Jr., of Columbia, died at age 60 after a seven-year battle with cancer.
Biography
McNair was born in CadesCades, South Carolina
Cades is an unincorporated community in northern Williamsburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the birthplace of former Governor Robert Evander McNair....
, a town in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. In 1944, he married Josephine Robinson of Allendale
Allendale, South Carolina
Allendale is a town in Allendale County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 4,052 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Allendale County.-Geography:...
, South Carolina. He served in the U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II, having been awarded a Bronze Star. After the war, he completed his bachelors degree in 1947 at the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
, followed by a law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
at the same school in 1948. While attending USC, McNair served as the first Governor of the South Carolina Student Legislature and was initiated into the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He practiced law in Moncks Corner
Moncks Corner, South Carolina
Moncks Corner is a town in and the county seat of Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 5,952 at the 2000 census....
and Allendale, South Carolina, from which he was elected in 1950 to the South Carolina House of Representatives
South Carolina House of Representatives
The South Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Carolina General Assembly, the upper house being the South Carolina Senate. It consists of 124 Representatives elected to two year terms at the same time as US Congressional elections...
. He was elected lieutenant governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
in 1962, then succeeded Donald S. Russell
Donald S. Russell
Donald Stuart Russell was a Democratic Senator from South Carolina. He served from 1965 to 1966. He also served as the 107th Governor of South Carolina, 1963-1965. Russell was a protege of former Secretary of State James F. Byrnes and served as Assistant Secretary of State for Administration...
in 1965 when Russell resigned with the understanding that McNair would appoint him to a then-vacant United States 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...
seat, which McNair did.
McNair was a Democrat
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...
and a pro-education governor. After his term as governor, he began McNair Law Firm, P.A. in Columbia. He was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame, and awarded an honorary doctorate in 2005 by Francis Marion University
Francis Marion University
Francis Marion University is a state-supported liberal arts university located six miles east of Florence, South Carolina, USA...
, a school he signed into creation while governor in 1970. On May 21, 2009, McNair was inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame.
McNair was governor during the Orangeburg Massacre
Orangeburg massacre
The Orangeburg massacre was an incident on February 8, 1968, in which nine South Carolina Highway Patrol officers in Orangeburg, South Carolina, fired into an aggravated but unarmed mob protesting local segregation at a bowling alley, hitting most of them in their backs. Three men were killed and...
in 1968, which he blamed on Black Power
Black Power
Black Power is a political slogan and a name for various associated ideologies. It is used in the movement among people of Black African descent throughout the world, though primarily by African Americans in the United States...
advocates, and called it a stain on the state's good record in civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
. He said it was "one of the saddest days in the history of South Carolina." Following this, McNair became much more proactive in working to defuse tensions that were present during the integration
Racial integration
Racial integration, or simply integration includes desegregation . In addition to desegregation, integration includes goals such as leveling barriers to association, creating equal opportunity regardless of race, and the development of a culture that draws on diverse traditions, rather than merely...
of the public schools.
McNair was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
during a checkup on September 28, 2007, which he died from in Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
on November 17.
The following week, on November 25, 2007, the late Governor McNair's widow, former First Lady of South Carolina, Josephine Robinson McNair, died at age 84.
On December 19, 2007, about a month after her parents died, Claudia Crawford McNair, died at age 50. She was from Jamestown
Jamestown, South Carolina
Jamestown is a town in Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 97 at the 2000 census.As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
in Berkeley County
Berkeley County, South Carolina
Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,651. The 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 151,673. Its county seat is Moncks Corner....
, South Carolina.
On January 22, 2008, Governor and Mrs. McNair's only son, Robert E. McNair, Jr., of Columbia, died at age 60 after a seven-year battle with cancer.
External links
- SC Governors – Robert Evander McNair, 1965–1971 from the South Carolina Information Highway