Steely, MelWagner, DonUniversity of West Georgia. Georgia Political Papers and Oral History ProgramUnited States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018Talmadge, Herman E. (Herman Eugene), 1913-20021986-05-21Herman Eugene Talmadge (1913-2002), son of former governor Eugene Talmadge, was born on August 9, 1913 in the small Telfair County town of McRae, Georgia. He earned his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1936, and practiced law for several years before joining the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he saw extensive combat in the South Pacific. In 1946, Talmadge ran his father's successful Democratic race for governor, though the elder Talmadge died before he could take office. The state legislature elected Herman to take his father's place, but the Supreme Court of Georgia ruled the move unconstitutional.Talmadge vacated the governor's mansion, but came back to win a special election in 1948, and a full four years as governor in 1950. As was common at the time, he was an ardent segregationist, but implemented the first state sales tax as a way to improve public schools. In 1956, Talmadge was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he concentrated on agricultural issues and sponsored the creation of a food-stamp program. In 1980, he lost his seat to Republican Mack Mattingly. Talmadge retired to his home in Hampton, Georgia where he died on March 21, 2002.; This interview is conducted by Dr. Steely and Don Wagner at West Georgia College on May 21, 1986.; This discussion in this interview is centered around agriculture and Herman Talmadge's views on its significance in Georgia. He goes through several presidencies and talks about how they dealt with changes in the agricultural markets over the course of the twentieth century. Talmadge also answers questions regarding his personal relationships with members of the Senate and Congress as they dealt with agricultural affairs. Talmadge discusses the relationships between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in the passing of agricultural laws. Talmadge also goes into details about his life during the Great Depression.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--Georgia--InterviewsLegislators--Georgia--InterviewsUnited States. CongressUnited States. Congress. SenateUnited States. Dept. of AgricultureGeorgia. General Assembly. SenateGeorgia. Dept. of AgricultureAgriculture--GeorgiaAgriculture CommitteeCotton trade--United StatesAgriculture--Economic aspectsDepressions--1929National parks and reserves--United StatesSharecropping--GeorgiaSharecropping--United StatesTimber--GeorgiaTimber--United StatesForests and forestry--GeorgiaForests and forestry--United StatesOral history interview with Herman Talmadge, 1986 May 21MovingImage