Richard Coke

Richard Coke
United States Senator
from Texas
In office
March 4, 1877  March 3, 1895
Preceded byMorgan C. Hamilton
Succeeded byHorace Chilton
15th Governor of Texas
In office
January 15, 1874  December 1, 1876
LieutenantVacant
Preceded byEdmund J. Davis
Succeeded byRichard B. Hubbard
Personal details
Born(1829-03-18)March 18, 1829
Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S.
DiedMay 14, 1897(1897-05-14) (aged 68)
Waco, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materCollege of William & Mary (LLB)

Richard Coke (March 18, 1829  May 14, 1897) was an American lawyer and statesman from Waco, Texas. He was the 15th governor of Texas from 1874 to 1876 and was a US Senator from 1877 to 1895. His governorship is notable for reestablishing local white supremacist rule in Texas, and the disfranchisement of African American voters, following Reconstruction. Richard Coke was revered by many Texas Southern Democrats due to his perceived triumphs over Reconstruction era Federal control in Texas politics. His uncle was US Representative Richard Coke Jr.