Steely, MelWagner, DonUniversity of West Georgia. Georgia Political Papers and Oral History ProgramUnited States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018Smith, George T. (George Thornewell), 1916-1988-04-15George T. Smith was born in Mitchell County, Georgia on October 15, 1916. After a stint in the U.S. Navy he earned a law degree from the University of Georgia in 1948. He practiced law in Cairo, Georgia and also served as City Attorney until being elected to represent Grady County in the Georgia legislature as a Democrat in 1958. He remained there until 1966, serving as Speaker from 1963-1966. Smith was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1966 and served from 1967-1971 under Governor Lester Maddox. He returned to private practice in Marietta and in 1976 was elected to the Georgia Court of Appeals. In 1980, Smith was elected to the state Supreme Court where he remained until 1991. He is the only person in Georgia history to win contested elections to all three branches of state government.; This interview takes place with Dr. Mel Steely and Don Wagner on April 15, 1988 at the office of George T. Smith.; The interview begins with a discussion of Smith's childhood in Mitchell county, Georgia, and anecdotes about his father. Smith spends a few minutes discussing his childhood education, and his entrance to Middle Georgia (which he states was out of his economic class). He discusses his time at the University of Georgia as well as his time in California. The majority of the interview focuses on Smith's political career, with emphasis on his relationships with other politicians in Georgia. One of the key themes of the interview involves Smith's political position as Speaker in the midst of the Civil Rights movement.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-Lieutenant governors--Georgia--InterviewsLegislators--Georgia--InterviewsUniversity of Georgia--Alumni and alumnaeUniversity of Georgia. School of Law--Alumni and alumnaeUnited States. NavyUnited States. Supreme CourtCivil rights movements--United States--History--20th centuryGrady County (Ga.)Mitchell County (Ga.)Depressions--1929Nova ScotiaWorld War, 1939-1945New Deal, 1933-1939Smith, George T. (George Thornewell), 1916---InterviewsOral history interview with George T. Smith, 1988 April 15MovingImage