Spessard Lindsey Holland, 28th Governor of Florida (January, 1941-January, 1945) was born in Bartow, Florida on July 10, 1892, to Benjamin F. and Virginia (Spessard) Holland. He graduated from Emory College (now Emory University) in 1912 and the University of Florida Law School in 1916. Holland served in World War I as a member of the Army Air Corps, and he held the rank of Captain by the end of the war.
Throughout his professional career, Holland worked as a school teacher, citrus grower, and attorney before entering the political arena. He was elected to State Senate in 1932 and served until his election as governor in 1941. He was appointed to U.S. Senate in September 1946 and later successfully ran for that office serving a total of four six-year terms.
Holland died in Bartow on November 6, 1971. A more detailed biography including many of his legislative activities can be found in the biographical materials contained within this collection.
From the guide to the Spessard Lindsey Holland Papers, 1892-1971, (Repository Unknown)
