Allan Shivers - Definition and Overview

Robert Allan Shivers (October 5, 1907 - January 14, 1985) was a politician from the state of Texas.

Shivers was born in Lufkin, Texas and he graduated from the University of Texas. In 1934, He was elected to the Texas State Senate as a Democrat, becoming the youngest person to ever serve in the State Senate. During World War II, Shivers served in the United States Army. Shivers was discharged from the army with the rank of Major.

In 1946, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas. As Lieutenant Governor, he initiated the process of appointing Senators to specific committees and setting the agenda for each day. Governor Beauford Jester died on July 11, 1949 and Shivers succeeded him. Shivers helped to enact laws raising teacher salaries and granting retirement benefits to state employees.

In 1952, Shivers disputed the Truman administration's claim on the Tidelands. Shivers worked to help Dwight D. Eisenhower carry the state of Texas that year. Shivers lost popularity with some voters over his disloyalty to the Democratic party. He also became less popular due to his opposition to the Brown v. Board of Education decision and his link to the Veterans Land Board Scandal. Shivers retired from politics in 1957 and went into business. He later spent time on the board of regents for the University of Texas.

External links

• Handbook of Texas database entry (http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/SS/fsh40.html)