Robert Ligon McWhorter (June 19, 1819 – May 20, 1908) was an American planter and politician who served in the Georgia House of Representatives as a Democrat from 1847 to 1861, and then switched to serving as a Republican in both houses of the Georgia General Assembly from 1868 to 1884. He was the first Republican to hold the seat of Speaker of the Georgia House.
Contents
Early years
McWhorter was born in the community of Bowling Green, in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, the youngest of three sons born to Hugh McWhorter and Helena Ligon. His family owned a forty-acre homestead. After studying at Mercer University, McWhorter worked as a planter in Greene County and was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1847, in which he served until the Civil War began in 1861.
Military service
Upon joining the Confederate Army, McWhorter organized Company C ("Dawson Grays") of the 3rd Georgia Volunteer Infantry regiment as Captain on April 24, 1861. He was elected Major and Assistant Quartermaster of Wright's Brigade on April 28, 1862. He was present at the Confederate surrender to Union forces at Old Appomattox Court House.