William Hugh Smith

William Hugh Smith
21st Governor of Alabama
In office
July 24, 1868 – November 26, 1870
LieutenantAndrew J. Applegate (1868–70)
Vacant (1870)
Preceded byWager Swayne
Succeeded byRobert B. Lindsay
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
In office
1855–1859
Personal details
Born
William Hugh Smith

(1826-04-26)April 26, 1826
New York City, U.S.
DiedJanuary 1, 1899(1899-01-01) (aged 72)
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Democratic
Located along N. Main Street (U.S. Route 431) in Wedowee, Alabama, this historical marker marks the site of the former home of William Hugh Smith.

William Hugh Smith (April 26, 1826 – January 1, 1899) was an American planter and politician, the 21st Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama. He was the first Republican elected as governor in the state, serving from 1868 to 1870 during the period of Reconstruction.[1] A former enslaver, he had opposed secession from the United States on the grounds it would imperil slavery. He appeared driven by practical consideration rather than principled opposition to slavery.

  1. ^ "Alabama : Past Governors Bios". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2019.