George Corley Wallace Wallace, George Corley, 1919–98, governor
of Alabama (1963–67, 1971–79, 1983–87), b. Clio, Ala. Admitted
to the bar in 1942, he was active in the Alabama Democratic
party, serving in the state assembly (1947–53) and as a district
court judge (1953–59). In 1962 he won election as governor as an
avowed segregationist, and promised to defy federal orders to
integrate Alabama schools. In June, 1963, Wallace blocked two
black students from entering the Univ. of Alabama, but
capitulated when President Kennedy federalized the Alabama
national guard. Prevented by state law from succeeding himself
as governor in 1966, Wallace had his wife, Lurleen Burns
Wallace, 1926–68, run successfully in his place. As a leading
opponent of the civil-rights movement, Wallace campaigned for
president in 1968 on a third-party ticket, capitalizing on
racist and anti-Washington attitudes in both North and South to
energize many. In 1970, he was reelected governor of Alabama. In
1972, he entered the Democratic presi