Robert Burns (Oklahoma politician)
Robert Burns | |
---|---|
4th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma | |
In office January 12, 1931 – January 15, 1935 | |
Governor | William H. Murray |
Preceded by | William J. Holloway |
Succeeded by | James E. Berry |
Member of the Oklahoma Senate | |
In office 1916 1941-1948 | |
Personal details | |
Born |
1874 Arkansas |
Died | 1950 |
Political party | Democratic |
Profession | Lawyer, politician |
Robert Burns (1874–1950) was an American attorney and politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma.
Early life
Born on a tenant farm in Arkansas in 1874, Burns earned a law degree from the Nashville Law School in Nashville, Tennessee, before moving to Washita County in Oklahoma Territory in December 1902.[1] He moved to Chickasha in 1905 and later Comanche, where he was elected as the first Stephens County attorney in 1907.[1]
Political career
Burns moved to Oklahoma City in 1913 and was elected to the Oklahoma Senate in 1916.[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for governor in 1922.[1]
Burns served as lieutenant governor from 1931 to 1935.[1] He occasionally served as acting governor, as was the case when he set a $1,000 reward for the capture of Pretty Boy Floyd.[2] Floyd wrote a letter to the governor threatening to rob him if he did not withdraw the reward.[2]
Burns served in the state senate again from 1941 to 1948, before retiring to a private law practice. He died in 1950.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Robert Burns, Oklahoma Hall of Fame. (accessed July 24, 2013)
- 1 2 Jackson, Ron. "Depression-era gangsters turned Oklahoma folk heroes," Newsok.com - Depression Era Gangster in Oklahoma. (accessed July 24, 2013)
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by William J. Holloway |
Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma 1931–1935 |
Succeeded by James E. Berry |