Steely, MelFitz-Simons, TedUniversity of West Georgia. Georgia Political Papers and Oral History ProgramUnited States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018Maddox, Lester, 1915-20031986-03-07Lester Maddox (1915-2003) was born to a working class family on September 30, 1915 in Atlanta. He dropped out of high school to work, and received a draft deferment during World War II due to employment in an essential industry. He opened the Pickrick Cafeteria in 1947, and became as widely known for his segregationist political commentary, as for his food. Maddox ran for office several times with no success, but became known nationally after a picture of him and supporters holding axe handles turning away black patrons ran in papers nationally in 1964. In 1966 he entered the Democratic primary for governor and defeated liberal former governor Ellis Arnall. Maddox managed a victory in a tumultuous election that ended up being decided by the overwhelmingly Democratic Georgia legislature. Surprising to many, Maddox governed in a more moderate manner than expected and appointed more African Americans to government offices than all previous governors combined. He backed prison reform and secured more funding for the state's university system. Maddox could not serve a consecutive term as governor, so ran and won the office of lieutenant governor, where he often clashed with Governor Jimmy Carter. He went back into private business after leaving public office. Maddox died of cancer in 2003.; Interviewed by Dr. Mel Steely and Ted Fitz-Simons at the University of West Georgia.; In this interview, Lester Maddox discusses his early years. He answers questions regarding his lie at home, his family, his religion, and his education. He speaks of how he met his wife and reveals that he knew he would marry her from the moment he saw her. He also discusses her difficult rehabilitation after a bad car accident, and how she had taught him to be a more faithful man. He talks about the importance of personal campaigning, and laments that with television campaigning, anything can be projected, whether or not it is true. He addresses his segregationist beliefs, stating that he does not consider himself a racist because he does not believe in white supremacy; rather, he believes in the right to dissociate from other races. He characterizes individuals that supported him, including Hartsfield and Ivan Allen, as well as those that did not, like Ralph McGill. He continues on to discuss his views on the Civil Rights movement, and concludes the interview with words about his decision to close the Pickrick.video/mp4engCarrollton, Ga. : University of West Georgia Special Collections in association with the Digital Library of Georgiahttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program oral history interviews. Annie Belle Weaver Special Collections, Irvine Sullivan Ingram Library, State University of West GeorgiaGeorgia--Politics and government--1865-1950Georgia--Politics and government--1951-Governors--GeorgiaLegislators--GeorgiaAtlantic Steel CompanyBessemer Galvanizing WorksPickrick Cafeteria (Atlanta, Ga.)Biltmore (Hotel : Atlanta, Ga.)Carnegie, Dale, 1888-1955Carnegie Library (San Antonio, Tex.)Cummings, GeorgiaFranklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790Fulton High School (Fulton County, Ga.)Hale, Nathan, 1784-1863Hancock, John, 1737-1793Home Park Public School (Atlanta, Ga.)Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826Leb's Restaurant (Atlanta, Ga.)Linder, Thomas Mercer, 1887-1978Lindsley, ArchieMaddox, DeanMaddox, Flonnie Bell CastleburyMaddox, Lester, 1915-Stock Market Crash, 1929Maddox, Virginia Cox, 1919-1997Murphy, Thomas Bailey, 1924-2007North Atlanta Baptist Church (Atlanta, Ga.)Rivers, Eurith Dickinson, 1895-1967Slappery, GeorgeWashington, George, 1732-1799Watson, Thomas E. (Thomas Edward), 1856-1922World War, 1939-1945WSB (Radio station : Atlanta, Ga.)Electronic surveillanceCapitalismCastlebury FamilyCivil rights movementsCoca-Cola CompanyUnited States--ConstitutionUnited States. Declaration of IndependenceDemocratic Party (Ga.)Democratic Party (U.S.)Depressions--1929Douglas County (Ga.)Forsyth County (Ga.)Fulton County (Ga.)Georgia. General AssemblyGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology. Bobby Dodd StadiumRailroad cars--GeorgiaWilliam B. Hartsfield-Atlanta International AirportIngles Iron Works (Ga.)Lang Steel CompanyLithia Springs (Ga.)Political corruptionUnited States. NavyUniversity of GeorgiaCollege integration--Georgia--AthensPearl Harbor (Hawaii)Pirkle familyRepublican Party (U.S.)Republican Party (Ga.)Salvation ArmySocial Security SystemCable cars (Streetcars)United States. Work Projects AdministrationOral history interview with Governor Lester Maddox, 1986 March 7MovingImage