Maddox, Lester, 1915-2003

Lester G. Maddox was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on 30 September 1915, to Dean and Flonnie Maddox. He was educated in the Fulton County public school system but dropped out of high school in order to persue a career (either "to start working" or "to persue a career in something"). In 1936, he married Virginia Cox and the couple eventually had four children. In 1944, Maddox opened a short order grill in Atlanta that he sold a year later at a profit. Maddox continued to hold jobs in the grocery business and real estate until 1947 when he opened a restaurant, the Pickrick. Maddox achieved great success with the Pickrick and expanded it nine times over the course of fifteen years. His business was bolstered by clever advertisements, entitled "Pickrick Says," that ran in Atlanta newspapers. After the 1954 Brown vs. the Board of Education school desegregation ruling, Maddox's advertisements became more political, earning him greater notoriety. It was Maddox's open defiance of the the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that thrust him into the national spotlight. Not only did Maddox refuse to serve three black students in his restaurant, but he also chased them out with a gun while his customers wielded axe handles. He contended that both his business and property were being threatened. The students sued Maddox. The court ruled that Maddox had to desegregate the Pickrick within twenty days. Rather than accept the ruling and integrate his restaurant, Maddox closed the Pickrick. In October 1965, he announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination for governor. True to his reputation, Maddox ran a grassroots campaign; his platform supported segregation and opposed federal encroachment on state and individual rights. Maddox came in second to Ellis Arnall in the Democratic primary and defeated Arnall in the runoff. In the General Election, the Republican candidate, Howard "Bo" Callaway, received more votes but fell short of the majority due to a write-in campaign for Arnall. Therefore, the General Assembly determined the election and selected Maddox on the first ballot. The new governor was sworn in on 10 January 1967. It was during Maddox's term that the newly independent legislature came to dominate the state government. They found in their governor an executive who believed in legislative independence. However, Maddox was able to increase funding for the university system as well as state teachers salaries. He continued to be an outspoken opponent of school desegregation and specifically, the transportation of students to schools to achieve integration mandates. On 17 August 1968, Maddox announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination for president, but withdrew before any ballots were cast. Since the Georgia constitution barred him from seeking consecutive terms as governor, Maddox was unable to run for that office again. In order to remain in politics, Maddox ran for lieutenant governor and won in 1970, making him the first former governor to become lieutenant governor. After exiting from the political scene, Maddox spent most of his time at home in Marietta, Georgia, caring for his wife, Virginia, who died on 24 June 1997. Lester Maddox died in an Atlanta hospice on 25 June 2003.

From the description of Lester G. Maddox biographical file, 1990-1999, undated. (University of Georgia). WorldCat record id: 233651888

Lester Maddox was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1915. He went to work in 1933 to help his family by working at Atlantic Steel and for the Works Progress Administration. He married Virginia Cox in 1936 and opened a very successful restaurant in 1947 called The Pickrick. Always very opinionated, Maddox began to run "Pickrick Says" advertisements that promoted the restaurant and allowed him a forum for political commentary. After unsuccessful bids for mayor in 1957 and lieutenant governor in 1962, Maddox focused his energy toward the Pickrick and his strong beliefs in segregation. On July 3, 1964, Maddox and supporters wielded ax handles to thwart the African-American activists who attempted to enter the Pickrick. Maddox later closed the restaurant rather than desegregate. In 1966, Maddox entered the political arena again and faced off against Bo Callaway for governor of Georgia. Callaway won the popular vote, but failed to gain the majority of the votes because of a write-in for former Governor Ellis Arnall. Democrats who controlled the Georgia legislature decided the election in favor of Maddox. As governor, Maddox was not as controversial as some had feared. He appointed more African-Americans to government positions than all previous Georgia governors combined and backed some issues important to African-Americans, including prison reform. However, Maddox still believed deeply in segregation and never altered his views or apologized. In addition, he fought heavily against civil rights causes. Despite these facts, Maddox remained a popular governor and was often celebrated for his unique antics such as riding a bicycle backwards and wearing "Phooey" t-shirts that symbolized his displeasure with various political events. He also hosted "Little People's Day" where people were encouraged to meet with him at the Governor's mansion twice a month. Maddox was elected lieutenant governor in 1971 and was often at odds with his political rival, Governor Jimmy Carter. Maddox ran for governor again in 1974 and ran for president in 1976--both attempts unsuccessful. Maddox returned to private life and embarked on various endeavors including operating a furniture store and selling real estate. Over the course of his life, Maddox suffered from various degenerative diseases and cancer. He died at 87 years old.

From the description of [Lester Maddox (1915-2003)]. 1947-1990. (University of West Georgia). WorldCat record id: 78785008

Lester Maddox (1915- ), Georgia Governor (1967-1971) and Lt. Governor (1971-1975).

From the description of Lester Maddox oral history interviews, November 22, 1988 and July 26, 1989. (Georgia State University). WorldCat record id: 38477584

Lester Garfield Maddox (30 September 1915-25 June 2003) was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He dropped out of high school in 1933 to work as a machine operator at the Atlantic Steel Company. Before working at Atlantic Steel, he had apprenticed as a dental technician. Maddox married Virginia Cox (1919-1997) in 1936, and in 1944 they opened a grocery store and restaurant. Building on the success of their first business they opened the Pickrick Restaurant in 1947. Maddox used the Pickrick as a platform for his political segregationist views, and in 1965 he closed the restaurant rather than comply with the public accommodations section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Maddox ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Atlanta in 1957 and 1961, and later served as governor of the state of Georgia from 1967 to 1971. Maddox was legally prevented from running for a second consecutive term as governor and instead ran for, and won, the position of Lieutenant Governor of Georgia which he held from 1972 to 1974.

From the description of Lester Maddox photographs, 1934-2000, undated. (Atlanta History Center). WorldCat record id: 32219745

Lester Maddox (1915-2003) was the Governor of Georgia, 1967 to 1971.

From the description of Maddox, Lester, 1915-2003 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10569205

Governor of Georgia, 1967-1971.

From the description of Lester Maddox letters, 1968. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 254197224

Lester Maddox (1915- ), Georgia Governor (1967-1971).

From the description of Lester Maddox oral history interview, 1976 June 16. (Georgia State University). WorldCat record id: 38476320