William Pitt Ballinger
Encyclopedia
William Pitt Ballinger was a respected and influential Texas
lawyer and statesman. His behind-the-scenes life had a major impact on the development of Texas realty and railroad law, furthering the Confederacy
during the Civil War
, the Reconstruction in Texas, the emancipation of black slaves, and the industrialization of the South.
Throughout the many local, state, and national events and issues, Ballinger’s life as a lawyer and a politician became firmly committed and driven to uphold and argue the law to its fullest extent without his biased interpretation. Ballinger, although rooted in the U.S. Constitution, evolved as the law evolved. In the words of Ballinger after rational examination, “Times have changed, my dear friend—the practice of law is going forward at such a rate that those who do not accept these changes will be left behind.”
to Galveston, Texas
to read law and finish his legal training under his uncle, James Love
. His uncle’s strenuous reading plan and insistence on attending courtroom proceedings helped Ballinger develop a lifelong love of books and renewed confidence in his self-education.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
lawyer and statesman. His behind-the-scenes life had a major impact on the development of Texas realty and railroad law, furthering the Confederacy
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
during 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...
, the Reconstruction in Texas, the emancipation of black slaves, and the industrialization of the South.
Throughout the many local, state, and national events and issues, Ballinger’s life as a lawyer and a politician became firmly committed and driven to uphold and argue the law to its fullest extent without his biased interpretation. Ballinger, although rooted in the U.S. Constitution, evolved as the law evolved. In the words of Ballinger after rational examination, “Times have changed, my dear friend—the practice of law is going forward at such a rate that those who do not accept these changes will be left behind.”
Early life
In summer of 1843, at the age of eighteen, he moved from his hometown of Barbourville, KentuckyBarbourville, Kentucky
Each year in early October, Barbourville hosts the Daniel Boone Festival commemorating the American pioneer Daniel Boone who explored the area in 1775. The festival features open air concerts, carnival attractions, a beauty pageant, a parade, and other events....
to Galveston, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
to read law and finish his legal training under his uncle, James Love
James Love
James Packard Love is the director of Knowledge Ecology International, formerly known as the Consumer Project on Technology, a non-governmental organization with offices in Washington, D.C...
. His uncle’s strenuous reading plan and insistence on attending courtroom proceedings helped Ballinger develop a lifelong love of books and renewed confidence in his self-education.
Primary source
- Moretta, John Anthony. William Pitt Ballinger. Texas State Historical Association, 2000.