SC Governors – William Dunlap Simpson, 1879-1880

Biographical Overview

• Born: October, 1823 in Laurens District, SC
  
• Died: December 26, 1890
  
• Buried: Laurens Cemetery in Laurens, SC
  
• Religion: Presbyterian
  
• Political Party: Democrat
  

Education

• South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina) - graduated 1843
  
• Harvard Law School - withdrew after one session
  

Occupations

• Lawyer
• Lieutenant Colonel, Confederate States Army

Major Events and Accomplishments, 1879–1880

• The South Carolina Agricultural Bureau was established
  
• 1880 – Governor Simpson resigned from office and assumed the post of Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court
  

Other Government Positions

• South Carolina House of Representatives - 1854-1856, 1858-1860
• South Carolina Senate, 1860-1863
  
• Confederate States House of Representatives, 1863-1865
  
• Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, 1876-1879
  
• Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, 1880-1890
  

Other Accomplishments, Honors, Distinctions

Election Results

• On February 26, 1879, Lieutenant Governor Simpson became governor following the resignation of
  Governor Wade Hampton
  

Web Resources

• Papers - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  
• Listing of records available at SC Archives and History Center