Buford Ellington

2025-05-17T01:05:35Z

2600:1702:5220:17E0:FD97:EA77:6BFB:2831: /* Governor */

{{Short description|Tennessee politician (1907–1972)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Buford Ellington
|image = Earl Buford Ellington, Tennessee Governor.jpg
|office = Chair of the [[National Governors Association]]
|term_start = July 21, 1968
|term_end = August 31, 1969
|predecessor = [[John Volpe]]
|successor = [[John Arthur Love]]
|order1 = 42nd [[Governor of Tennessee]]
|lieutenant1 = [[Frank Gorrell]]
|term_start1 = January 16, 1967
|term_end1 = January 16, 1971
|predecessor1 = [[Frank G. Clement]]
|successor1 = [[Winfield Dunn]]
|lieutenant2 = [[William D. Baird]]
|term_start2 = January 19, 1959
|term_end2 = January 15, 1963
|predecessor2 = [[Frank G. Clement]]
|successor2 = [[Frank G. Clement]]
|office3 = Director of the [[Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization|Office of Emergency Planning]]
|president3 = [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]
|term_start3 = March 4, 1965
|term_end3 = March 23, 1966
|predecessor3 = [[Edward A. McDermott|Edward McDermott]]
|successor3 = [[C. Farris Bryant]]
|birth_name = Earl Buford Ellington
|birth_date = {{birth date|1907|6|27}}
|birth_place = [[Holmes County, Mississippi]], [[United States|U.S.]]
|death_date = {{death date and age|1972|4|3|1907|6|27}}
|death_place = [[Boca Raton]], [[Florida]], [[United States|U.S.]]
|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|spouse = Catherine Cheek
|education = [[Holmes Community College]]<br>[[Millsaps College]]
}}
'''Earl Buford Ellington''' (June 27, 1907 – April 3, 1972) was an American politician who served as the 42nd [[governor of Tennessee]] from 1959 to 1963, and again from 1967 to 1971. Along with his political ally, [[Frank G. Clement]], he helped lead a political machine that controlled the governor's office for 18 years, from 1953 to 1971.

Ellington was a supporter of President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]; he was appointed in 1965 as the Director of the Office of Emergency Planning during the Johnson Administration.<ref name=tehc>Vaughn May, "[http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=430 Buford Ellington]," ''Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture'', 2009. Retrieved: 29 December 2012.</ref>

==Early life and career==

Ellington was born in [[Holmes County, Mississippi]], the son of Abner and Cora (Grantham) Ellington. He studied religion at [[Millsaps College]] in [[Jackson, Mississippi]], but had to drop out due to financial difficulties.<ref name=tehc /> He edited a newspaper in [[Durant, Mississippi]], for a brief period.

In 1929, he married Catherine Ann Cheek, and moved to her native [[Marshall County, Tennessee]], in the south central part of the state. There he bought a store in the [[Verona, Tennessee|Verona]] community. He worked as a salesman for [[American Harvester]] in the 1930s, and was a supervising salesman with Tennessee Farm Bureau Insurance in the early 1940s.<ref name=langsdon>Phillip Langsdon, ''Tennessee: A Political History'' (Franklin, Tenn.: Hillsboro Press, 2000), pp. 366-372.</ref>

Having joined the Democratic Party, in 1944, Ellington worked in the campaign of successful gubernatorial candidate, [[Jim Nance McCord]].<ref name=langsdon /> Two years later, he was the [[Marshall County, Tennessee|Marshall County]] manager for the campaign of US Congressman [[Joe L. Evins]]. In 1948, Ellington ran and was elected to Marshall County's seat in the [[Tennessee House of Representatives]].<ref name=tehc />

In 1952, Ellington managed the successful campaign of [[Frank G. Clement|Frank Clement]], who defeated incumbent [[Gordon Browning]] in the Democratic primary for governor, and went on to win the general election. Clement's campaign had the support of [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] political boss [[E. H. Crump]], who was seeking to regain the influence he had lost after Browning defeated his candidate, McCord, four years earlier. Clement appointed Ellington as [[Tennessee Department of Agriculture|Commissioner of Agriculture]], where he served until the late 1950s under more than one administration.<ref name=langsdon />

==Governor of Tennessee==
[[File:Pentecost-johnson-ellington-gore-ornl.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Ellington (center), photographed by [[Ed Westcott]] at the [[Oak Ridge National Laboratory]] in 1958]]
In 1953, the [[Tennessee State Constitution]] was amended, extending the gubernatorial term from two years to four years. The new amendments prevented governors from serving consecutive terms, but a temporary exception was made for Clement. He was elected to a full four-year term in 1954 after his initial two-year term.

In 1958, with Clement term-limited, Ellington sought the Democratic Party's nomination for governor. His opponents were Memphis mayor Edmund Orgill, Nashville attorney [[Clifford Allen]], and Judge Andrew "Tip" Taylor. Since Crump's death in 1954, the Clement-Ellington alliance had become the state's leading political organization. Ellington won the nomination with 213,415 votes to 204,629 for Taylor, 204,382 for Orgill, and 56,854 for Allen.<ref name=langsdon /> He won the general election by a sizeable margin over several opponents, among them former Governor McCord, who ran as an independent.<ref name=langsdon />

During his first term, Ellington continued many of Clement's policies. Aided by an economic boom, he could approve raises for public school teachers and school administrators without increasing taxes.<ref name=tehc /> While he supported continued legal [[racial segregation|segregation]], he ordered the state to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in ''[[Brown v. Board of Education]]'' (1954) that ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional; it ordered desegregation of the public school system.<ref name=langsdon />

In 1961, several [[Tennessee State University]] students who had participated in the [[Freedom Riders|Freedom Rides]], to highlight illegal segregation on interstates buses, which were covered by federal law, were expelled after Ellington ordered an investigation into their activities.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110522170559/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/highwayhistory/road/s30.cfm The Road to Civil Rights - Waiting for the ICC], Federal Highway Administration website, 7 April 2011. Retrieved: 29 December 2012.</ref> In response, dozens of protesters picketed the state capitol and demanded a meeting with Ellington, but he refused.<ref>Genma Holmes, "[http://open.salon.com/blog/genmaspeaks/2011/05/06/the_50th_anniversary_of_tennessee_state_universitys_freedom_riders The 50th Anniversary of Tennessee State University's Freedom Riders] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811034408/http://open.salon.com/blog/genmaspeaks/2011/05/06/the_50th_anniversary_of_tennessee_state_universitys_freedom_riders |date=August 11, 2014 }}," ''Salon.com'', 6 May 2011. Retrieved: 29 December 2012.</ref>

At the [[1960 Democratic National Convention]], a rift had begun to form in the relationship between Clement and Ellington. The former endorsed [[John F. Kennedy]] for president, and the latter endorsed [[Lyndon B. Johnson]].<ref name=tehc />

Following his first term as governor, which ended in 1963, Ellington returned to the private sector, working as a vice president of the [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]].<ref name=langsdon /> Vice President Lyndon Johnson succeeded Kennedy to the presidency after [[Assassination of John F. Kennedy|he was assassinated]] in [[Dallas]] in November 1963.

In early 1965, President Johnson appointed Ellington as Director of the Office of Emergency Planning (later integrated into [[Federal Emergency Management Agency|FEMA]]). During the [[Selma to Montgomery marches]], which took place at the height of the [[civil rights movement]] in March of that year, Ellington played a key role in establishing contact and talks between President Johnson and Governor [[George Wallace]] of [[Alabama]]. The state provided protection for marchers in the last march.<ref>Alice Anne Stephens, "[http://tapes.millercenter.virginia.edu/exhibit/lbj-governor-wallace-and-buford-ellington-selma-alabama The President, the Wildcard, and the Link: President Johnson, Governor Wallace, and Buford Ellington in Selma, Alabama] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010175441/http://tapes.millercenter.virginia.edu/exhibit/lbj-governor-wallace-and-buford-ellington-selma-alabama |date=2008-10-10 }}," Presidential Recordings Program, 2011. Retrieved: 29 December 2012.</ref> In September, Ellington helped organize federal relief efforts in the wake of [[Hurricane Betsy]].<ref>[http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/AV.hom/Hurricane/audio_transcript.shtm The President's Remarks Upon Arrival at New Orleans Municipal Airport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128142119/http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/AV.hom/Hurricane/audio_transcript.shtm |date=2013-01-28 }}, 10 September 1965. Accessed at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library website, 29 December 2012.</ref>

Ellington again sought the Democratic Party nomination for governor in 1966. His opponent, [[John Jay Hooker]], was a friend of former Governor Browning, and had been endorsed by the ''[[The Tennessean|Nashville Tennessean]]''. Ellington was endorsed by President Johnson, Clement, and the ''[[Nashville Banner]]''. He defeated Hooker for the nomination, 413,950 votes to 360,105.<ref name=langsdon /> The divide between Clement and Ellington continued to grow, as Ellington refused to endorse Clement in his US Senate primary campaign against [[Ross Bass]].<ref name=langsdon /> Governor Clement attempted to spend the state's budget surplus to ensure the Ellington administration did not inherit it.<ref name=tehc />

Ellington won the general gubernatorial election in 1966. By this time, he had shifted his position on segregation, and openly supported an end to the long-standing practice.<ref name=tehc /> In 1967, he appointed African American [[Hosea T. Lockard]] to his cabinet as administrative assistant; he was the first black cabinet member in state history.<ref name=tehc /> On April 4, 1968, the [[assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.]] in Memphis led Ellington to immediately mobilize the [[United States National Guard|National Guard]], to prevent [[King assassination riots|rioting in the city]].

In September 1967, Ellington signed a bill repealing the [[Butler Act]], the 1925 law that had outlawed the teaching of the [[Theory of Evolution]] in state schools.<ref name=langsdon />

==Later life==

Ellington did not seek another office after his second term as governor ended. In the 1970 gubernatorial campaign, he refused to endorse the Democratic nominee, [[John Jay Hooker]], and quietly supported the Republican nominee (and eventual winner), [[Winfield Dunn]].<ref name=langsdon /> Ellington's press secretary, Hudley Crockett, was narrowly defeated by incumbent [[Al Gore Sr.|Albert Gore Sr.]], in the 1970 U.S. Senate primary.

Ellington died while playing golf in [[Boca Raton, Florida]], on April 3, 1972. Former President Johnson and Vice President [[Spiro Agnew]] were among those who attended his funeral,<ref name=tehc /><ref>Randall Bennett Woods, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Sb8W_Ba3jkkC&dq=%22buford+ellington%22+funeral+lyndon+johnson&pg=PA882 LBJ: Architect of American Ambition]'' (Harvard University Press, 2007), p. 882.</ref> and President [[Richard Nixon]] issued a statement of condolence.<ref>Richard Nixon: "[http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=3366 Statement About the Death of Buford Ellington]," April 4, 1972. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, ''The American Presidency Project''. Retrieved: 29 December 2012.</ref>

==Family and legacy==
[[File:Elvis_with_the_General_Assembly.jpg|thumb|215x215px|Elvis Presley and Gov. Buford Ellington at a joint convention of the Tennessee General Assembly.]]Ellington married Catherine Ann Cheek in 1929.<ref name=tehc /> They had two children: John, who became a pilot and aviation expert,<ref>[http://www.tn-aviation.org/HallofFame.htm Tennessee Aviation Network Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110419201501/http://tn-aviation.org/HallOfFame.htm |date=2011-04-19 }}. Retrieved: 29 December 2012.</ref> and Ann, who became an artist.<ref>[http://annellingtonwagner.com/About.html Ann Ellington Wagner] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816004647/http://annellingtonwagner.com/About.html |date=August 16, 2013 }}, official site. Retrieved: 29 December 2012.</ref> Ellington began a friendship with [[Elvis Presley]], who was honored by the Tennessee General Assembly with the title of "Honorary Colonel" on March 8, 1961.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elvis Presley and Ann Ellington |url=https://teva.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15138coll28/id/10796/rec/16 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=teva.contentdm.oclc.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Huff |first=Caitlin |date=April 9, 2021 |title=PHOTOS: Elvis, The King, rules the Tennessee State Capitol |url=https://www.wkrn.com/tennessee-225/photos-elvis-the-king-rules-the-tennessee-state-capitol/ |access-date=March 11, 2025 |website=WKRN}}</ref>[[File:Elvis Presley and Ann Ellington.jpg|thumb|Elvis Presley visiting the Tennessee State Capitol, Nashville, Tennessee. He is pictured with Governor Buford Ellington's daughter, Ann (later Ann Ellington Wagner), and an unidentified young boy.|262x262px]]
During his meeting with the Governor, Elvis met Ellington's teenage daughter Ann Ellington (now Ann Ellington Wagner). The two developed a friendship and Elvis would frequently visit with Ann while in Nashville to record.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Interview with Ann Ellington {{!}} Elvis Articles |url=https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/interview-ann-ellington.shtml |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=www.elvis.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

While the exact beginnings of Elvis' friendship with Governor Ellington and his daughter are difficult to determine, Ann has stated that she believes Elvis and her father first connected through Elvis' charitable work. Elvis was recognized by the city of Memphis in February 1961 for his work supporting local charities,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ElvisNews.com - Elvis Presley news magazine - By Fans For Fans |url=https://www.elvisnews.com/daybyday/details/1057 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=ElvisNews.com |language=en}}</ref> and according to Ellington Wagner, he would write a check to Governor Ellington every Christmas for donations to orphanages and to provide gifts to children. Ann has speculated that Elvis and her father's friendship continued to grow due to their shared Mississippi heritage and similar upbringings.<ref name=":0" />

*The [[Ellington Agricultural Center]], the headquarters of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, is named in honor of Governor Ellington.<ref>Angie Mayes, "[https://archive.today/20130119140728/http://cdh.columbiadailyherald.com/articles/2012/05/22/affiliate/brentwoodlife/news/06ag.txt Ellington Ag Center is an 'Oasis of Wild America']," ''Brentwood Life'', 22 May 2012. Retrieved: 29 December 2012.</ref>
*A golf course at [[Henry Horton State Park]] and buildings on the campuses of [[Tennessee Technological University]], the [[University of Memphis]], and the [[University of Tennessee at Martin]] were also named in his honor.
*The Financial Aid and Registrar building on the campus of [[Austin Peay State University]] is named in Ellington's honor.

==See also==
*[[List of governors of Tennessee]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111014203656/http://www.tn.gov/tsla/history/govpapers/findingaids/gp48.pdf Governor Buford Ellington Papers (finding aid)] – Tennessee State Library and Archives
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141128200628/http://gorecenter.mtsu.edu/research/BufordEllington.shtml Buford Ellington Papers] – Middle Tennessee State University
*[http://dlc.lib.utk.edu/spc/view?docId=ead/0012_003338_000000_0000/0012_003338_000000_0000.xml Finding Aid for the Buford Ellington Papers] - University of Tennessee Knoxville Libraries
*[http://www.tnportraits.org/7635-ellington-earl-buford.htm Portrait painting of Governor Ellington] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915173439/http://www.tnportraits.org/7635-ellington-earl-buford.htm |date=2015-09-15 }} – Tennessee Portrait Project
*[http://tnsos.org/tsla/imagesearch/citation.php?ImageID=20947 Photographic portrait of Governor Ellington] – Tennessee State Library and Archives

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{{Governors of Tennessee}}
{{National Governors Association chairs}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellington, Earl Buford}}
[[Category:1907 births]]
[[Category:1972 deaths]]
[[Category:Democratic Party governors of Tennessee]]
[[Category:Tennessee commissioners of agriculture]]
[[Category:People from Holmes County, Mississippi]]
[[Category:People from Marshall County, Tennessee]]
[[Category:20th-century Tennessee politicians]]

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Buford Ellington