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Photo # NH 103773:  Senator Benjamin R. Tillman

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Benjamin R. Tillman, U.S. Senator from South Carolina (1847-1918)

Benjamin Ryan Tillman was born in South Carolina on 11 August 1847. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in June 1864 but left the service due to illness. Beginning in 1869 he was an active and successful farmer and was also deeply involved in often forceful measures to thwart the goals of southern Reconstruction. The success of these efforts made him an important figure in South Carolina politics. During the 1880s, he became the most powerful politician in the state and was Governor in 1890-1894. He was then elected to the United States Senate, where he championed agricultural interests and Southern racial policies, in addition to maintaining control of South Carolina politics well into the first decade of the Twentieth Century. He was also influential in the establishment of the Navy Yard at Charleston, South Carolina. Though in ill health by the Nineteen "Teens", he became Chairman of the Senate Naval Affairs Committee and held that position until his death in Washington, D.C., on 3 July 1918.

The Navy has named two ships in honor of Senator Benjamin R. Tillman, including: USS Tillman (Destroyer # 135, later DD-135) of 1921-1940; and USS Tillman (DD-641) of 1942-1972.

This page features the only view we have concerning Benjamin R. Tillman.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 103773

Benjamin Ryan Tillman
(1847-1918)

Governor of South Carolina in 1890-1894 and U.S. Senator from that state from 1895 until his death on 3 July 1918. He was Chairman of the Senate Naval Affairs Committee before and during World War I.

The rather battered original photograph was removed from USS Tillman (DD-641) in August 1969, nearly a year before the ship was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 41KB; 550 x 765 pixels

 


Benjamin R. Tillman is not present in the following photographs, but is mentioned in their captions:

Photo #: NH 41786

Former Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels


Speaking on the late Senator Benjamin R. Tillman of South Carolina, during the dual launching ceremonies for USS Tillman (DD-641) and USS Beatty (DD-640), at the Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina, 20 December 1941.
USS Tillman's bow is in the background. Beatty is off camera to the right, with shadows of men on her decks visible on Tillman's hull side.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 120KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 41788

Former Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels


Speaking on the late Senator Benjamin R. Tillman of South Carolina, during the dual launching ceremonies for USS Tillman (DD-641) and USS Beatty (DD-640), at the Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina, 20 December 1941.
USS Beatty's's bow is in the left background.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 130KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 7 September 2006