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| Governor of Georgia | Early Senatorial Years | Late Senatorial Years |
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Herman Eugene Talmadge was born August 9, 1913 near McRae, in Telfair County GA. He attended the University of Georgia, first at the liberal arts college, then the law school, eventually receiving his law degree and gaining admission to the bar. In 1936, he moved to Atlanta to practice law with his father, Eugene Talmadge, and while there served as his father's campaign manager for two gubernatorial races.
Eight months prior to Pearl Harbor, he left his law practice to volunteer for service in the U.S. Navy. After being commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve, he was assigned to various districts until 1942 when, as a member of the U.S.S. Tryon, he was involved in the invasion of Guadalcanal. Between June of 1943 and April 1944, he was assigned, as flag secretary, to the Commandant of Naval Forces in New Zealand, and next became a member of the U.S.S. Dauphin, a vessel involved in the battle of Okinawa, and later one of those that sailed into Tokyo Bay on V-J Day. Having attained the rank of lieutenant commander, he left active duty in November of 1945.
After returning to civilian life, Talmadge once again joined his father's law firm of Talmadge, Fraser, and Camp , and in May of 1946, he once again began working as campaign manager for his father's gubernatorial bid. Eugene Talmadge won the election but died on December 21, 1946, before taking office. The legislature elected Herman Talmadge to serve the remainder of the term. Talmadge served from January to March 1947, when the Georgia Supreme Court ruled his election unconstitutional. Lieutenant Governor Melvin Thompson then served as acting governor until a special election could be held. That election, held in September 1948, was won by Herman Talmadge, who took office in November 1948 to serve the two remaining years of his father's term.
He again faced Thompson in the Governor's race in 1950 and was elected in the General Election for a full term. He served in that capacity until January 10, 1955.
His vast popularity as governor led him to win a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1956. He went on to serve as Chairman of the Agriculture and Forestry Committee, and also served on the Finance Committee, Veterans Affairs Committee and the Democratic Policy Committee until his defeat in 1980 against Mack Mattingly.
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| Governor of Georgia | Early Senatorial Years | Late Senatorial Years |
| Audio Files | Video Files | Text Files |