Benjamin B. Blackburn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin B. Blackburn
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 4th district |
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| In office January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1975 |
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| Preceded by | James MacKay |
| Succeeded by | Elliott H. Levitas |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Benjamin Bentley Blackburn
February 14, 1927 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | December 3, 2024 (aged 97) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Mary A. Pandora
(m. 1952; died 2018) |
| Children | 4 |
| Residences | Jasper, Pickens County Georgia |
| Education | University of North Carolina (BA) Emory University (LLB) |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Navy; United States Naval Reserve |
| Rank | Lieutenant commander |
| Battles/wars | World War II; Korean War |
Benjamin Bentley Blackburn (February 14, 1927 – December 3, 2024) was an American politician from Georgia. He was a member of the Republican Party. Blackburn served as a representative in the United States House of Representatives for four terms. He was in office from 1967 to 1975. After leaving Congress, he was nominated for a position on the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. However, the U.S. Senate did not approve his nomination. Later, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he led an organization called the Southeastern Legal Foundation.
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About Benjamin Blackburn
Early Life and Military Service
Benjamin Blackburn was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He went to public schools there. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1947. Later, in 1954, he earned a law degree from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta.
Blackburn also served in the United States Navy. He joined during World War II from 1944 to 1946. He served again during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952. He retired from the United States Navy Reserve as a lieutenant commander. After his military service, he worked in the State attorney general's office from 1955 to 1957. He became a lawyer in 1954 and started his own law practice in Atlanta.
Time in Congress
In 1966, Blackburn was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented Georgia's 4th congressional district. He won by a very small number of votes against the person who was already in office, James MacKay.
During that same election year, another Republican, Bo Callaway, ran for Governor of Georgia. He was running against a Democrat named Lester Maddox. Maddox supported policies that kept people of different races separate. Even though Callaway got more votes, he didn't get enough to win outright. So, the state legislature had to choose the governor, and they picked Maddox. Blackburn supported Callaway. Years later, Blackburn said that Maddox was a "far better governor" than many people thought. He noted that Maddox's time as governor included economic growth. Maddox also appointed African Americans to important state jobs.
Blackburn was reelected to Congress three more times. He served until 1975. However, he lost his bid for reelection in 1974.
After Congress and Later Life
In 1975, President Gerald Ford nominated Blackburn for a position. He was chosen to be a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. This board helped manage home loans. However, the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs voted against his nomination. This meant he could not take the job.
From 1976 to 1985, Blackburn served as the president of the Southeastern Legal Foundation. This organization works on legal issues. In 1982, he ran for Governor of Georgia again. He lost in the Republican primary election to Bob Bell.
Benjamin Blackburn passed away on December 3, 2024, at the age of 97.
