David Henry Gambrell was born in Fulton County, Georgia on December 20, 1929 to Alice and E. Smythe Gambrell, a prominent Atlanta attorney and former president of the American Bar Association. He attended public schools in Atlanta and graduated from Davidson College in North Carolina in 1949 and Harvard Law School in 1952. Gambrell returned to Atlanta and joined his father's law practice; two years later he switched to another firm. Gambrell began his political career as an "advance man: for Herman Talmadge's 1950 gubernatorial campaign, while on summer break from college Gambrell would promote Talmadge speeches and appearances in towns across Georgia, tacking up posters and announcements. Gambrell also worked for the campaigns of Richard B. Russell, Paul Webb, Adlai Stevenson, Ernest Vandiver, and Jimmy Carter. In Carter's 1970 campaign for governor, Gambrell served as campaign treasurer. From 1965 to 1966, Gambrell was president of the Atlanta Bar Association, and from 1967 to 1968, he was president of the State Bar of Georgia. Georgians dubbed Gambrell the Georgia's "Instant Senator" when Governor Jimmy Carter appointed him on February 1, 1971 to replace Senatory Richard Russell who had just passed away. Gambrell threw himself into the appointment and spent long hours in his senate office in Washington. He initiated a series of "listening tours" during congressional recesses and traveled Georgia. In 1972, Gambrell campaigned for the remainder of the unexpired term of the late Senator Russell (November 7, 1972-January 3, 1973) as well as another term in office ending January 3, 1979. He was opposed in the Democratic primary by 14 other candidates, among the State Representative Sam Nunn, former Goergia Governor Ernest Vandiver, and the State Treasurer Bill Burson. Gambrell lost both elections in the primary to Nunn, who later won the general election against Republican opponent Fletcher Thompson and served in the U.S. Senate for 25 years. Gambrell married Luck Coleman Flanders of Swainsboro, Georgia on October 16, 1953. They have four children - Luck Coleman, David Henry, Jr., Alice Katherine Hagood, and Mary Latimer. Gambrell currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia where he practices law.
From the description of David Gambrell U.S. Senatorial election of 1972 materials, 1971-1972. (University of Georgia). WorldCat record id: 233574611
