Ross Barnett 1898 – 1987

Biography

Ross Barnett was born on January 22, 1898, in Standing Pine, Mississippi, during a time of significant change in the American South. Over the course of his long life, he would become a prominent political figure in his state, eventually rising to lead Mississippi during a pivotal period in the nation’s history. His career in public service reflected the concerns and politics of mid-twentieth-century Mississippi.

Barnett served as Governor of Mississippi from 1960 to 1964, a tenure that placed him at the center of events that would define his era. During these four years, he navigated the complex political landscape of his state while addressing the issues of greatest concern to Mississippians. His governorship concluded in 1964, after which he returned to private life.

Throughout his long life, Barnett remained a fixture in Mississippi, having spent his entire life in the state where he was born. He lived to the age of 89, passing away on November 6, 1987, in Jackson, the capital city he had once led as governor. His nearly nine decades spanned from the close of the nineteenth century through the final years of the twentieth, witnessing tremendous transformation in Mississippi and the nation.