Robert Looney Caruthers, 1863, Democrat.
Caruthers, born in Smith County in 1800. was elected
governor in 1863 but was never inaugurated, as Andrew Johnson had been appointed military governor.
Caruthers was educated at Washington College. He
studied law and served as attorney general 1827-1832.
In 1835, he was elected first to the legislature, then
elected to Congress in 1841. Governor Campbell appointed him to the Supreme Court in 1853. He was a
member of the Peace Congress in 1861. An advocate
of moral reforms and education, he and his brother
Abraham were co-founders of Cumberland University
Law School. He died in 1882.
Tennessee Blue Book - Available at www.tennessee.gov - Transcribed by, Amanda Jowers
