William Dunlap Simpson
Encyclopedia
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William Dunlap Simpson (October 27, 1823 December 26, 1890) was the 78th Governor of South Carolina
from February 26, 1879, when the previous governor, Wade Hampton
, resigned to take his seat in the U.S. Senate
, until 1880, when Simpson resigned to become Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court
.
Born in Laurens District, South Carolina, in 1823, he was educated at South Carolina College (later the University of South Carolina
), completing his studies in 1843, and spent one term at Harvard Law School
. He practiced law in Laurens
with his partner (and father-in-law) Henry Clinton Young. He served in the South Carolina legislature
in the 1850s and early 1860s and serving in the Confederate States House of Representatives from 1863 to 1865.
After the Civil War
, he returned to practice law in Laurens until 1876, when he ran successfully for the post of lieutenant governor
and was re-elected in 1878. Upon Wade Hampton resigning from the governorship to assume his senate seat, Simpson was elevated to become the 78th governor of South Carolina. He resigned prior to the ending of the term for governor after being appointed Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court and served for ten years from 1880 until his death in 1890.
William Dunlap Simpson (October 27, 1823 December 26, 1890) was the 78th Governor of South Carolina
Governor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
from February 26, 1879, when the previous governor, Wade Hampton
Wade Hampton III
Wade Hampton III was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterward a politician from South Carolina, serving as its 77th Governor and as a U.S...
, resigned to take his seat in the U.S. 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...
, until 1880, when Simpson resigned to become Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court
South Carolina Supreme Court
The South Carolina Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The court is composed of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices.-Selection of Justices:...
.
Born in Laurens District, South Carolina, in 1823, he was educated at South Carolina College (later 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...
), completing his studies in 1843, and spent one term at Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
. He practiced law in Laurens
Laurens, South Carolina
Laurens is a city in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 9,916 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Laurens County.-History:...
with his partner (and father-in-law) Henry Clinton Young. He served in the South Carolina legislature
South Carolina General Assembly
The South Carolina General Assembly, also called the South Carolina Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The legislature is bicameral and consists of the lower South Carolina House of Representatives and the upper South Carolina Senate. Altogether, the General...
in the 1850s and early 1860s and serving in the Confederate States House of Representatives from 1863 to 1865.
After the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he returned to practice law in Laurens until 1876, when he ran successfully for the post of 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"...
and was re-elected in 1878. Upon Wade Hampton resigning from the governorship to assume his senate seat, Simpson was elevated to become the 78th governor of South Carolina. He resigned prior to the ending of the term for governor after being appointed Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court and served for ten years from 1880 until his death in 1890.