South Carolina Governors – Rawlins Lowndes, 1778-1779

Biographical Overview

• Born: January, 1721 at St. Kitts, British West Indies
  
• Died: August 24, 1800 in Charleston, South Carolina
  
• Buried:
• Religion:
• Political Party: No party affiliation
  

Education

• Studied law in Charleston, South Carolina
  

Occupation

• Lawyer

Major Events and Accomplishments, 1778–1779

• March 19, 1778 – President Lowndes approved the changes to the state constitution that changed the title of South Carolina's chief executive's office from president to governor, although he was called "president" until the end of his term
  
• March 19, 1778 – The new constitution also disestablished the Church of England in South Carolina, deprived the state's chief executive of the power to veto, and created a popularly elected Senate
  

Other Government Positions

• Provost-Marshall, 1742-1752
  
• South Carolina Senate
  
• South Carolina House of Representatives, 1783-1790
  

Other Accomplishments, Honors, Distinctions

• 1766 – Lowndes authored a resolution to erect a statue of William Pitt in Charleston, South Carolina
  
• 1788 – Lowndes opposed ratification of the US Constitution
  

Election Results

• On March 6, 1778, Lowndes was elected president by the South Carolina General Assembly.
  

Web Resources