The Biographical Dictionary of America/Atkinson, William Yates

ATKINSON, William Yates, governor of, Georgia, was born in Oakland, Meriwether county, Ga., in 1856; son of John P. Atkinson. He was prepared for college at the Senoia high school, and was graduated from the University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., in 1877. He was admitted to the bar in 1878, and settled himself in the practice of his profession at Newman, Ga. In 1879 he was appointed solicitor-general of the Coweta circuit, by Governor Colquitt, and held the office for three years. In 1886 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature on the Democratic ticket, was four times re-elected, and in 1892 was chosen speaker of the house. In 1890 he was elected president of the state Democratic convention, and chairman of the state Democratic executive committee in 1890 and in 1892. He became a trustee of the University of Georgia in 1890, and was governor of Georgia, 1895-"99. He was a founder of the Georgia Normal and Industrial college at Milledgeville. He died at Newnan, Ga., Aug. 8, 1899.