Born in Gainesville, Georgia, to Thomas M. Elliott, a Methodist minister, and Mamie Glenn Elliot, Elliott received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Emory University in 1930. He taught school to earn money for his legal education. He received a Bachelor of Laws from Emory University School of Law in 1934. He entered private practice of law in Columbus, Georgia from 1934 to 1943. He was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1937 to 1943. He was in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant from 1943 to 1946, serving in the Pacific. He returned to private practice in Columbus from 1946 to 1962. He was again a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1947 to 1949. He was also a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1948 and 1952.