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LUTHER E. HALL was born in Bastrop, Louisiana on August 30, 1869. His education was attained at Washington and Lee College, from which he graduated from in 1889, and at Tulane University, where he earned a law degree in 1892. He established a successful legal career, serving as judge of the Sixth Congressional District from 1900 to 1906, and was a judge in the Court of Appeals of the Northern District of Louisiana from 1906 to 1911. Hall entered politics in 1898, serving as a member of the Louisiana State Senate, a position he held for two years. In 1911, he was elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court. However, he never served, choosing instead to run for the governorship. Hall won the 1912 Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by popular vote on April 16, 1912. He was sworn into office on May 20, 1912. During his tenure, the state levee system was expanded, legislation that limited government patronage was enacted, a workmen's compensation law was sanctioned, a New Orleans port development project was authorized, and the political process was eliminated in the public school system. After completing his term, Hall left office on May 15, 1916 and returned to his law career. In 1918, he served as assistant attorney general of Louisiana, and also that same year made an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate. During his campaign for a seat on the Louisiana Supreme Court, Hall suffered a heart attack, and passed away on November 6, 1921.

Sources:

Dawson III, Joseph G. The Louisiana Governors: From Iberville to Edwards. Baton Rouge: Lousiana State University Press, 1990.

Louisiana Secretary of State: The Governors of Louisiana

The Political Graveyard

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.