SC Governors – Robert Kingston Scott, 1868-1872

Biographical Overview

• Born: July 8, 1826 in Armstrong County, PA
  
• Died: August 12, 1900 in Napoleon (Henry County) OH
  
• Buried: Henry County, OH
  
• Religion:
• Political Party: Republican
  

Education

Occupations

• Gold prospector
• Doctor
• Real estate speculator
• Brigadier General of Volunteers, United States Army
  

Major Events and Accomplishments, 1st Term, 1868–1870

• July 14, 1868 – The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified
  

Major Events and Accomplishments, 2nd Term, 1870–1872

• 1870 – The South Carolina Constitution of 1868 lifted the prohibition on the reelection of a governor until four years after leaving office, allowing Scott to become the first governor of South Carolina to be elected to two consecutive terms
  
• 1871 – The state debt tripled during Governor Scott's years in office, resulting in an unsuccessful attempt by the General Assembly to impeach him
  

Other Government Positions

• Freedmen's Bureau

Other Accomplishments, Honors, Distinctions

• Scott moved to Ohio when Democrats returned to power in state government, possibly out of fear of being prosecuted for misuse of funds during his administration - 1877
  
• Scott pleaded guilty to accidental homicide after being prosecuted for murder - 1880
  

Web Resources

• Biographical facts - scroll down
  
• Listing of records available at SC Archives and History Center
  

Election Results