Solomon Blatt Sr.
Solomon Blatt Sr. | |
|---|---|
| 51st and 54th Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives | |
| In office January 9, 1951 – August 1, 1973 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas H. Pope Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Rex L. Carter |
| In office January 12, 1937 – January 14, 1947 | |
| Preceded by | Claude A. Taylor |
| Succeeded by | C. Bruce Littlejohn |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 91st district | |
| In office December 1974 – May 14, 1986 | |
| Preceded by | None (district created) |
| Succeeded by | Joseph B. Wilder |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from Barnwell County | |
| In office December 1932 – December 1974 | |
| Preceded by | Robert C. Holman |
| Succeeded by | None (districts numbered) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 27, 1895 Blackville, South Carolina |
| Died | May 14, 1986 (aged 91) Barnwell, South Carolina |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ethel Green |
| Alma mater | University of South Carolina, Columbia (BA, LLB) |
| Profession | Lawyer and Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1918 |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Solomon Blatt (February 27, 1895 – May 14, 1986) was a long time Democratic legislator of South Carolina from Barnwell County during the middle of the 20th century. He was a principal member of the so-called "Barnwell Ring." His 32-year tenure as Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives makes him the second longest-serving leader of any state legislature, surpassed only by Michael Madigan of Illinois. Blatt was an ardent segregationist and spent decades fighting against racial integration. Later in life his views on race relations changed.