“P” is for Pope, Thomas Harrington, Jr. [1913-1999]. Attorney, legislator, historian. In 1936 while still a first-year law school student, Pope was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives from Newberry County . In1939 he became counsel to the state Unemployment Insurance Commission. During World War II he served in North Africa and Italy. When one of Newberry’s house seats became vacant in 1945, local supporters arranged his election in his absence. In 1949 he was elected Speaker of the House. His term was short, as he resigned to run for governor. Soon after Pope announced his candidacy, James F. Byrnes entered the race and Pope lost badly to the elder statesman. He never again sought public office. Long a student of local history, Thomas Harrington Pope, Jr. published a highly-regarded two volume history of Newberry County.
“P” is for Pope, Thomas Harrington, Jr.
