Arthur K. Bolton
Arthur K. Bolton | |
---|---|
44th Attorney General of Georgia | |
In office 1965–1981 | |
Governor | Lester Maddox Jimmy Carter George Busbee |
Preceded by | Eugene Cook |
Succeeded by | Mike Bowers |
Member of the Georgia State House of Representatives | |
Personal details | |
Born | Arthur Key Bolton May 14, 1922 Griffin, Georgia, United States |
Died | December 1, 1997 Griffin, Georgia, United States | (aged 75)
Resting place | Oak Hill Cemetery, Griffin, Georgia, United States |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Marion |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | North Georgia College University of Georgia University of Alabama |
Occupation | Lawyer |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1943–1946 |
Rank | ![]() |
Arthur Key Bolton (1922–1997) was the Attorney General of Georgia from 1965 through 1981. During his time as attorney general, he represented the state in a case challenging Georgia's abortion laws, Doe v. Bolton, which was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court on the same day as another more famous abortion case, Roe v. Wade.[1] Bolton also served as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1949 to 1965 and Judge of the Criminal Court of Griffin from 1952 to 1965.[2]
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Bolton attended North Georgia College from 1939 to 1941, completed a bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree at the University of Georgia in 1943, and the University of Alabama.[2]
Military service
In 1943, Bolton attended the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army infantry. He served in the European theater of World War II, and was wounded in action on April 6, 1945. Bolton was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and the European Theater of Operations ribbon with three campaign stars. He was separated from service in 1946 at the rank of captain.[3]
Political career
Upon returning to Griffin after the war, Bolton started a law practice. In 1948, he ran for a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives from Spalding County, and was elected; he served in the state house from 1949 to 1965. On June 14, 1965, he was appointed as attorney general of Georgia by Gov. Lester Maddox; he subsequently was elected to the position, and served under Maddox, Jimmy Carter, and George Busbee. As attorney general, he gained a reputation for professionalizing the workings of the attorney general's office and combating corruption. He also represented Georgia as the respondent in Doe v. Bolton, a case challenging Georgia's abortion laws, that was decided by the United States Supreme Court in 1973 on the same day as the better-known Roe v. Wade. He resigned from office in 1981, citing health issues related to his military service.
Death and burial
Bolton passed away on December 1, 1997 in Griffin, due to complications from his injuries in World War II. He was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Griffin.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Arthur Key Bolton (1922-1997) - Find a Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
- ^ a b "Arthur K. Bolton Scrapbooks". sclfind.libs.uga.edu. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
- ^ "Arthur K. Bolton". OCS Alumni. Retrieved 2022-03-22.