James Eastland

James Eastland
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
In office July 28, 1972 – December 27, 1978
Deputy	Hubert Humphrey (1977–1978)
Preceded by	Allen J. Ellender
Succeeded by	Warren Magnuson
Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee
In office January 3, 1957 – December 27, 1978
Preceded by	Harley M. Kilgore
Succeeded by	Ted Kennedy
United States Senator from Mississippi
In office January 3, 1943 – December 27, 1978
Preceded by	Wall Doxey
Succeeded by	Thad Cochran
In office June 30, 1941 – September 28, 1941
Appointed by	Paul B. Johnson Sr.
Preceded by	Pat Harrison
Succeeded by	Wall Doxey
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from Scott County
In office 1928–1932
Preceded by	William D. Cook
Succeeded by	Elwin B. Livingston
Personal details
Born	James Oliver Eastland (1904-11-28)November 28, 1904 Doddsville, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	February 19, 1986(1986-02-19) (aged 81) Doddsville, Mississippi, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Cemetery, Forest, Mississippi
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Elizabeth Coleman Eastland
Children	4
Education	University of Mississippi Vanderbilt University University of Alabama
Profession	Attorney Cotton planter

James Oliver Eastland (November 28, 1904 – February 19, 1986) was an American attorney, plantation owner, and politician from Mississippi. A Democrat, he served in the United States Senate in 1941 and again from 1943 until his resignation on December 27, 1978. Eastland was a segregationist who led the Southern resistance against racial integration during the civil rights movement, often speaking of African Americans as "an inferior race."^[1] Eastland has been called the "Voice of the White South" and the "Godfather of Mississippi Politics."^[2]

The son of prominent attorney, politician, and cotton planter Woods Eastland, he attended the local schools of Scott County, Mississippi, and took courses at the University of Mississippi, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Alabama. He completed his legal education by studying in his father's office, attaining admission to the bar in 1927. Eastland practiced law in Sunflower County, Mississippi, and took over management of his family's cotton plantation. Becoming active in politics as a Democrat, he served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1928 to 1932.

When Senator Pat Harrison died in office in 1941, the governor appointed Eastland to fill the vacancy on the condition that Eastland not run in that year's special election to complete the term. Eastland served from June to September 1941. The special election was won by Wall Doxey. Eastland went on to defeat Doxey in the 1942 primary for the Democratic nomination for a full term. The Democratic Party was then essentially the only party in Mississippi, assuring Eastland's return to the Senate in January 1943. Eastland was reelected five times, serving until resigning in December 1978, days before the end of his final term. Eastland advanced through seniority to the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee, serving over 20 years, and President pro tempore of the Senate.