Lester Maddox

ABOUT LESTER MADDOX

Populist Governor of Georgia from 1967 to 1971 who was stridently opposed to the civil rights movement and led the state's segregation efforts. He also served as Lieutenant Governor under Jimmy Carter .

After he once refused service to two black students in his Atlanta restaurant, his supporters adopted the restaurant's souvenir pick handles as symbols of segregation.

In office, he promoted segregation as an issue of state's rights, and promoted temperance, short haircuts for men, and modest attire for women.

He had two daughters with his wife of 61 years, Virginia Cox, and 10 grandchildren.

Horace Bond , a Georgia politician who came to office a little later, promoted integration of the races rather than segregation.