 Thomas E. Watson Letter
Collection DescriptionBiographical NoteThomas Edward Watson was born in Columbia County near Thomson, Georgia on September 5, 1856. He attended Mercer University in Macon, Georgia and during that time taught school for two years before he was admitted to the bar in 1875. Watson began practicing law in Thomson, Georgia in 1876, where he was also a farmer. Watson began his political career by winning election to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1882, where he served for one term. In 1888, Watson was appointed the presidential elector for Georgia Democratic ticket of Grover Cleveland and Allen G. Thurman. He then went on to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Populist (1891-1893), but was unsuccessful as a candidate for reelection in 1892 and in 1894. Watson resumed his law practice in Thomson, Georgia, and was later nominated for vice president at the Populist National Convention at St. Louis in 1896 and for president by the People's Party in 1904. Watson concluded his political career in 1921 when he won election to the United States Senate as a Democrat. Watson served in this position until his death on September 26, 1922. Scope and ContentThe letter is two-pages, handwritten from Thomas E. Watson to Thomas A. Walden of Gibson, Georgia circa 1913. In the letter Watson discusses his current mental health, indicates support for Ben Walker for Congress, and expresses his belief that Roman Catholics are involved in state senate districting schemes. Administrative InformationPreferred CitationThomas E. Watson Letter, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641. User RestrictionsLibrary acts as "fair use" reproduction agent. Copyright InformationBefore material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permissions. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original. Finding Aid PublicationFinding aid prepared on: 2008. General NotesIn addition to his political career, Watson was also a prolific writer and editor. In March 1905, Watson launched Tom Watson's Magazine and served as editor for two years. In 1906 and 1907, he published two magazines, The Jeffersonian (weekly) and Watson's Jeffersonian Magazine (monthly). He edited both from his home in Thomson, Georgia. He wrote many books and articles, including some expressing his opposition to the Catholic Church and its activities. Watson also authored biographies of Napoleon and Andrew Jackson. He was survived by his wife Georgia Durham and two of his three children. His interment is in Thomson Cemetery, Thomson, Georgia. Related Materials and SubjectsSubject TermsRelated Collections in Other RepositoriesThomas E. Watson Papers, 1873-1983, Southern Historical Collection, Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Thomas E. Watson Papers, 1890-1980, Atlanta History Center | ||||||||||||||||||||