Homer Martin Adkins | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 32nd Governor of Arkansas | |
| In office January 14, 1941 – January 9, 1945 | |
| Lieutenant | Robert L. Bailey James L. Shaver |
| Preceded by | Carl E. Bailey |
| Succeeded by | Ben T. Laney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 15, 1890 Jacksonville, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | February 26, 1964 (aged 73) Malvern, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Roselawn Memorial Park Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Estelle Elise Smith (m. 1921) |
| Children | None |
| Alma mater | Draughon's Business College Little Rock College of Pharmacy |
| Profession | Pharmacist, Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit | Medical Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Homer Martin Adkins (October 15, 1890 – February 26, 1964) was an American businessman and Democratic politician who served as the 32nd Governor of Arkansas. Adkins is remembered as a skilled retail politician and a strong states' rights proponent and social conservative who served as governor during a period when Arkansas departed from several national economic and societal trends. The Adkins administration fought federal influence in Arkansas during the post-New Deal era; successfully courting federal wartime production investment, during World War II, while battling the federal resettlement of Japanese-Americans in the state and Supreme Court civil rights decisions.
The Adkins administration was, in several ways, a forerunner to years of segregationist governors in Arkansas and across the South; most famously Alabama Governor George Wallace. The former Ku Klux Klan member fought the post-World War II civil rights gains made by African-Americans and sought to organize a constitutional convention to restore the white primary after the Supreme Court's Smith vs. Allwright decision. Derided as "Holy Homer" by opponents, Adkins' strong brand of social conservativism earned formidable opposition from moderates and more progressive politicians, like preceding governor-turned rival Carl E. Bailey, as well as pro-gambling interests in the Arkansas resort town of Hot Springs. After leaving office, Adkins remained an influential voice in state politics, assisting later governors Sid McMath and Orval Faubus.