James Thomas Heflin

Heflin, James Thomas, 1869–1951, U.S. politician, b. Randolph co., Ala. He was admitted (1893) to the bar and in 1920 entered the U.S. Senate where he was known at first as "Cotton Tom" because of his championing of the Southern farmer. He later became a vigorous anti-Roman Catholic crusader and supporter of white supremacy, famous for his theatrical oratory and distinctive dress. His opposition to the presidential campaign of Alfred E. Smith in 1928 promoted Heflin's defeat for reelection in 1930, and he was subsequently unsuccessful in regaining office.

See A. A. Michie and F. Ryhlick, Dixie Demagogues (1939).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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