William A. Robertson

(Redirected from W.A. Robertson)

William Allen Robertson (October 22, 1837 – October 26, 1899) was President of the Louisiana State Senate and Acting Lieutenant Governor for two and a half months in 1881. He was born in Connecticut in 1837.

Dr. W. A. Robertson
Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
& President of the Louisiana State Senate
In office
October 16, 1881–December 24, 1881
GovernorSamuel D. McEnery
Preceded bySamuel D. McEnery
Succeeded byGeorge L. Walton
State Senator for St. Landry Parish
In office
1871–1884
Personal details
Born
William Allen Robertson

(1837-10-22)October 22, 1837
South Windsor, Connecticut
DiedOctober 26, 1889(1889-10-26) (aged 52)
near Washington, Louisiana
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materUniversity of Louisiana
ProfessionPhysician, surgeon

Political career

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Robertson was a state senator representing St. Landry Parish. During the 1876 presidential election, Robertson, a prominent supporter of Democratic nominee Samuel J. Tilden, was accused of offering a bribe of $200,000 to federal election officials to fraudulently deliver Louisiana's electoral votes for the Democrats.[1]

Robertson was serving as President of the Senate when Governor Louis A. Wiltz died in 1881. Lieutenant Governor Samuel D. McEnery assumed the Governorship and Robertson became the Acting Lieutenant Governor. He was removed as President of the Senate and Acting Lieutenant Governor by a vote of that body on Dec. 24, 1881 and was replaced by Senator George L. Walton.[2]

Robertson was not reelected to the Louisiana Senate in 1884.

He died at his home in 1889.[3] He is buried in Metairie Cemetery.

References

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  1. ^ "A Congressman Confused" (PDF). New York Times. 2 March 1877. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
  2. ^ "The Louisiana Senate" (PDF). New York Times. 25 December 1881. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
  3. ^ "Dr. W. A. Robertson", The Lafayette Advertiser, Saturday, November 02, 1889, Lafayette, Louisiana, United States Of America
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
William A. Robertson (D)
(Acting)

October 16, 1881–December 24, 1881
Succeeded by