Robert Richard Snodgrass (July 12, 1902 – October 31, 1969)[1][2] was an American businessman and politician who served as a Republican Party leader and committeeman from Georgia.
Robert R. Snodgrass | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 12, 1902 Indian Territory, U.S. |
| Died | October 31, 1969 (aged 67) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Mildred Snodgrass
(m. 1928; div. 1956)Mildred Reinhertz (m. 1956) |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
Early life edit
Robert R. Snodgrass was born on July 12, 1902, in the Indian Territory[3] to John R. Snodgrass, who was a baseball player.[4] He attended law school at the University of Michigan and later moved to Atlanta in 1930.[5] In 1940, he founded the Atlas Finance Company, serving as its chair and president until 1966 when he retired and sold off his company.[5] He was the president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and head of the Atlanta Traffic Committee, promoting safe traffic practices.[6][7]
Political career edit
Robert Snodgrass was first involved in politics when he was instrumental in building the Georgia Republican Party in the 1940s alongside Elbert Tuttle. He campaigned for Thomas E. Dewey in 1948.[8] He would be instrumental in campaigning for Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956. He was a member of the "Atlanta faction" of the Republican Party in Georgia, which was composed of moderate, business minded intellectuals within the party during the Eisenhower years.[8] In 1964, following the nomination of Barry Goldwater on the Republican ticket, he gave a speech before the Atlanta Rotary Club condemning the growing influence of segregationists, the Ku Klux Klan, and the John Birch Society within the party.[9] Snodgrass would retire from politics in 1964 following the party's takeover by Goldwater supporters.[10] He would go on to support William Scranton for the Republican nomination.[11]
In contrast to fellow Georgia Republicans, Snodgrass was a moderate Republican, and would go on to support the candidacies of George W. Romney and Nelson Rockefeller in 1968.[2]
Personal life edit
Snodgrass married his first wife, Mildred Snodgrass, on February 4, 1928.[12] She was involved in Georgia Republican politics, serving as national committeewoman.[13] They divorced on March 9, 1956.[12] He married his second wife, Mildred Reinhertz, on May 28, 1956.[14]
He was a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club, and board member of the American Industrial Bankers Association.[5]
He died on October 31, 1969, in Atlanta, aged 67 due to a heart attack.[15][2][5]
References edit
- ^ "Robert R Snodgrass in the 1940 Census | Ancestry®". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
- ^ a b c "ROBERT SNODGRASS, G.O.P. AIDE IN GEORGIA". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
- ^ "Ex-GOP Leader Snodgrass Dies (cont.)". The Atlanta Journal. 1969-10-31. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ "John R Snodgrass obituary". The Atlanta Constitution. 1950-11-18. p. 11. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
- ^ a b c d "Obituary for Robert Richard Snodgrass". The Atlanta Constitution. 1969-11-01. p. 15. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
- ^ "Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Presidents - Digital Library of Georgia". dlg.usg.edu. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
- ^ "Jack Tarpley RR Snodgrass Leads GA Safety Body AJC Oct 11 1957". The Atlanta Constitution. 1957-12-10. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
- ^ a b Ellett, Ashton (2017). Recasting Conservatism: Georgia Republicans And The Transformation of Southern Politics Since World War II (PDF) (PhD thesis). University of Georgia.
- ^ "GEORGIAN IN G.O.P. ASKS END TO HATE; Says Party 'Cannot Afford' 'Ku Kluxers' or 'Birchites'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
- ^ "Former GOP Leader Snodgrass Dies at 67". The Macon Telegraph. 1969-11-01. p. 14. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ "GOP's Snodgrass Backs Democrats' Mackay (cont.)". The Atlanta Constitution. 1964-10-21. p. 14. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
- ^ a b "Divorce Separates Republican Pair". The Columbus Ledger. 1956-03-11. p. 5. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ "Article clipped from The Atlanta Constitution". The Atlanta Constitution. 1948-06-24. p. 19. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
- ^ "Robert Snodgrass and Mildred Reinhertz Wedding". The Atlanta Constitution. 1956-05-29. p. 23. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ "Ex-GOP Leader Snodgrass Dies". The Atlanta Journal. 1969-10-31. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-01-15.