George Wallace

George Corley Wallace (August 25, 1919 – September 13, 1998) was an American politician. He served as Governor of Alabama from 1963 to 1967. He ran for President of the United States four times from 1964 to 1976.

Wallace was born in Clio, Alabama. He began his long political career at the age of 33 after running for county judge.

When Wallace was running for president, he was shot, which made him paralyzed for the rest of his life. He is known for having different views on segregation, because he supported segregation. He was a Democrat.

Wallace died at the age of 79 from sepsis caused by a spinal infection after 26 years of being in a wheelchair.

Early life
Wallace was born George Corley Wallace on August 25, 1919 in Clio, Alabama. He studied at University of Alabama. He grew up in a lower-middle-class family. As a young man, he was an amateur boxer, where he fought as a bantamweight.

Wallace was a very short man for his entire life, and as an adult was about 5'2" (1.57m)

Career
He served four terms as governor of Alabama, and also ran for President of the United States several times, during the 1960s and 1970s. Wallace was a longtime supporter of segregation; a policy that did not allow African-Americans to go to the same schools or many of the same public places as white people. In 1963 he stood in a schoolhouse door to stop black students from going to the school (which would have integrated the school). In a speech, he said he would support "segregation today, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever". He was a controversial figure. Some people saw him as a man who spoke up for the poor and was an outspoken populist. Others saw him as a terrible person, a white supremacist who supported violence.

In time, he changed his views, and said that he was sorry to African-Americans and other people hurt by segregation. He promoted black equality in his last term as Governor. Despite this, he is still an icon of racism today and many people think of him as one of the most evil people in American history.

Assassination attempt
During the 1972 presidential campaign, Wallace was shot five times by someone who wanted to assassinate him, Arthur Bremer. He got a permanent injury to his spine. He could no longer walk, and spent the rest of his life using a wheelchair.

Later career
After his last term as governor, he began speaking in public places (including churches).

Personal life
Wallace was married to Laurleen Wallace until her death. He then married to Corelia Wallace until they divorced. Then he was married to Lisa Taylor until they divorced. He had four children.

Popular Culture
The Lynyrd Skynyrd song "Sweet Home Alabama" has the line "In Birmingham they love the Governor / Boo Boo Boo / Now we all did what we could do / Watergate does not bother me / does your conscience bother you now tell me true." Even though Wallace is not mentioned by name, the line clearly refers to him. There continues to be debate over whether the song (and the band) is supportive or critical of Wallace.

Gary Sinise played him in the film George Wallace.

A tunnel on Interstate 10 in Alabama has been named the George Wallace Memorial Tunnel.
Death
Wallace died on September 13, 1998 in Montgomery, Alabama from sepsis complicated by a spinal infection, aged 79. He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery.

References

Other websites

 Governor Wallace's Schoolhouse Door speech  archived at the University of Alabama
 George Wallace article  at the Encyclopedia of Alabama
 George Wallace  - Daily Telegraph obituary
 Oral History Interview with George Wallace from Oral Histories of the American South
 Caught on Tape: The White House Reaction to the Shooting of Alabama Governor and Democratic Presidential Candidate George Wallace from History's News Network: http://hnn.us/articles/45104.html
 George Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire PBS American Experience documentary, including complete transcript, teacher tools and links
 Cornelia Wallace's Obituary on Decatur Daily
 Political Graveyard
 Booknotes interview with Stephen Lesher on George Wallace: American Populist, February 27, 1994. 

Category:1919 births
Category:1998 deaths
Category:American judges
Category:Lawyers from Alabama
Category:American Methodists
Category:American military personnel of World War II
Category:Governors of Alabama
Category:1964 United States presidential candidates
Category:1968 United States presidential candidates
Category:1972 United States presidential candidates
Category:1976 United States presidential candidates
Category:Democratic Party (United States) politicians
Category:American people with disabilities