Robert Burns Lindsay, governor of Alabama, was born in Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, July 4, 1824; son of John and Elizabeth (McKnight) Lindsay. He was educated at St. Andrew's university, immigrated to the United States in 1844 and settled in North Carolina, where he studied law and taught school. In 1849 he removed to Tuscumbia, Ala., was admitted to the bar, and engaged successfully in practice. He was a representative in the Alabama legislature in 1853. He was married, Oct. 14, 1854, to Sarah Miller, daughter of William Winston, a wealthy planter of North Alabama, and granddaughter of Antony Winston, a Revolutionary soldier. He was state senator, 1857-58, a presidential elector on the Douglas and Johnson ticket in 1860; and was again stats senator in 1865-66. He served in Roddy's cavalry, organized at Tuscumbia, Ala., in December, 1862. He was nominated for governor of Alabama at the Democratic Conservative state convention in September, 1870, and was elected, defeating Governor William H. Smith, serving one term. He died at Tuscumbia, Ala., Feb. 13, 1902.

The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans 1904

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