Governor of Tennessee. He served two non-consecutive terms as Tennessee governor (1959-63 and 1967-71). Serving as state commissioner of agriculture, he was chosen to follow his friend and three-term Gov. Frank G. Clement, who could not succeed himself according to the state constitution. Following Ellington's four-year term, Clement succeeded him in 1963 and four years later Ellington did the same. One of the highlights of his twin administrations was his appointment of the first African-American cabinet official in Tennessee history, which was quite a testament as Ellington was a former supporter of racial segregation. Following his second term, he passed away during a golf outing in Florida and was returned to Tennessee for burial.
Governor of Tennessee. He served two non-consecutive terms as Tennessee governor (1959-63 and 1967-71). Serving as state commissioner of agriculture, he was chosen to follow his friend and three-term Gov. Frank G. Clement, who could not succeed himself according to the state constitution. Following Ellington's four-year term, Clement succeeded him in 1963 and four years later Ellington did the same. One of the highlights of his twin administrations was his appointment of the first African-American cabinet official in Tennessee history, which was quite a testament as Ellington was a former supporter of racial segregation. Following his second term, he passed away during a golf outing in Florida and was returned to Tennessee for burial.
Bio by: Phillip O. Hamilton
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