“M” is for McNair, Robert Evander (1923-2007). Attorney, legislator, governor. Reared in rural Berkely County, McNair served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. After military service he settled in Allendale and opened a law practice. In 1950 he was elected to the S.C. House of Representatives for Allendale County, where he served until 1962 when he was elected lieutenant governor. McNair became governor upon the resignation of Donald Russell. In 1966 McNair won election to a full term as governor. The McNair administration coincided with major civil rights initiatives and significant public protests and demonstrations—and the tragedies of the Orangeburg Massacre and mob violence at Lamar. Robert Evander McNair oversaw the creation of the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, triggering the state’s long and successful development of tourism as a multibillion-dollar industry.
“M” is for McNair, Robert Evander (1923-2007)
