Frank M. Dixon
Frank M. Dixon | |
---|---|
Governor of Alabama | |
In office January 17, 1939 – January 19, 1943 | |
Lieutenant | Albert A. Carmichael |
Preceded by | Bibb Graves |
Succeeded by | Chauncey Sparks |
Personal details | |
Born | Frank Murray Dixon July 25, 1892 Oakland, California, U.S. |
Died | October 11, 1965 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | (aged 73)
Resting place | Oak Hill Cemetery |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Juliet Perry |
Occupation | Lawyer |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Canada |
Branch/service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Rank | Major |
Battles/wars | World War I |
Frank Murray Dixon (July 25, 1892 – October 11, 1965) was an American
Early life
Dixon was born in
His law practice was interrupted by
When he returned to Birmingham, he founded a law partnership, Bowers and Dixon, and became a successful corporate lawyer. At that point, he became a commander of the American Legion and was active in veterans' causes. In 1934 Dixon made his first attempt at the governorship of Alabama but lost the Democratic primary to Bibb Graves. However, in 1938 he easily defeated his opponent and succeeded Graves as the Governor of Alabama.
Governor of Alabama
Before his inauguration, Dixon spent extensive time preparing for his term. He met with Bibb Graves, public administration experts, and
Dixon spent much time reforming the property tax assessment method in the state. Dixon believed that the property tax review boards assigned by the county deliberately under-assessed property taxes. This, in turn, led to inadequately supported school districts and municipal services. He pushed through his reform bill that required local assessment boards to be replaced by a three-person board appointed by the governor.
As World War II began at the end of his term, Dixon's accomplishments only increased. He oversaw a wartime reorganization of the docks in Mobile, Alabama, resulting in a four-hundred percent increase in barge traffic. Alabama's economy flourished with the shipbuilding and repairing industry brought about by the war. During World War II, Dixon oversaw some war-related events as governor. British soldiers trained in the United States as part of lend-lease; sometimes, those soldiers died in Alabama. Due to the British Army's policy of British soldiers being buried in the land where they died, Maddox set up special areas for British pilots who died in Alabama at The Oakwood Cemetery Annex; they were "given a place of their own over which flew the Union Jack." The graves were maintained by Montgomery women who were members of the Federated Garden Clubs.[2] Dixon organized a very large Armistice Day parade on November 11, 1941. Seven thousand people marched in the parade, with members from every branch of the American armed forces, including Lanier Band, Alabama State band, and the Maxwell band, as well as 3,000 U.S. Army Air Corps flying cadets and several hundred British RAF cadets. The Montgomery Advertiser commented that even though thousands lined the parade route, most people did not cheer but rather were calm, respectful, and quiet observers until the British cadets came by. At that point, the crowd did cheer, "...the British cadets alone waking applause from the onlookers."[3] Governor Dixon also organized and oversaw a "massive" USO show in Montgomery that featured Erle Danley, a music professor from Huntingdon, a choir from Alabama State sang carols, British cadets singing "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" as well as other events.[4]
Post gubernatorial years
After Dixon left office in 1943, he returned to his corporate law practice and began a
References
- ^ "Frank Murray Dixon". National Governors Association. 2011-01-17. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
- ^ Montgomery in the Good War: Portrait of a Southern City, 1939-1946 By Wesley Phillips Newton pg. 42-43
- ^ Montgomery in the Good War: Portrait of a Southern City, 1939-1946 By Wesley Phillips Newton pg. 44
- ^ Montgomery in the Good War: Portrait of a Southern City, 1939-1946 By Wesley Phillips Newton pg. 53
- ^ "Alabama and the 1960 Popular Vote". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. 21 November 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
External links
- Frank Murray Dixon at Find a Grave
- Feldman, Glenn A. "Frank M. Dixon, 1939-1943." Alabama Governors: A Political History of the State. Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama Press. 2001. (p. 185-89).
- Barnard, William D. Dixiecrats and Democrats: Alabama Politics, 1942-1950. Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama Press. 1974.