Augustus Octavius Bacon

Democrat Senator of Georgia

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1839 (75 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1914

Death

Confederate soldier during the American Civil War
Segregationist and slave owner
Served as a U.S. senator from Georgia and became the first senator to be directly elected after the ratification of the 17th Amendment
Held the position of president pro tempore of the United States Senate
Involved in controversy during the American Civil Rights Movement due to a provision in his will that created a racially segregated park
His will’s provision led to two U.S. Supreme Court decisions
Served in the Georgia State House of Representatives, for much of that time as House speaker
Opposed the Spanish–American War and the subsequent occupation of the Philippines
Succeeded in renaming Brightwood Avenue in Washington, D.C. to Georgia Avenue
Died of a coronary occlusion and was buried in Macon, Georgia
His legacy includes a “whites only” park in Macon and Bacon County, Georgia, named in his honor