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 of 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William J. Holloway |
Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma 1931–1935 |
Succeeded by James E. Berry |