Born near Ackerman, Mississippi, January 9, 1914.
Graduated Ackerman High School, 1931.
Attended the University of Mississippi, 1932-1935.
Graduated in law, LLB, The George Washington University, 1939.
Doctor of Laws Degree, The George Washington University, 1960.
Elected District Attorney of the Fifth Circuit Court District, 1939,
and re-elected 1943.
Elected Circuit Judge of the same District, 1946.
Appointed to the Mississippi Supreme Court, September 1, 1950.
Appointed Attorney General, October, 1950. Elected without opposi-
tion to a full four year term, 1951.
Elected Governor of Mississippi, 1955. Chairman of the Southern
Governor's Conference, 1959.
Elected to the Mississippi Legislature for the term, 1960-1964.
Only man in the history of Mississippi to serve in all three branches
of State Government by election of the people.
Since 1960 has practiced law in Ackerman, Mississippi, with an office
in Jackson.
On May 2, 1937, at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington,
D. C. was married to Miss Margaret Janet Dennis, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Josiah B. Dennis of Williamsport, Indiana.
One son, Thomas Allen Coleman, named for his grandfather, was born
May 14,1941. He is now a second lieutenant in the U. S. Army,
stationed in Korea. He received his B. A. degree from the University
of Mississippi in 1962 and LL.B. degree in 1964.
Member of the Fentress Baptist Church.
Democrat. Delegate to the National Conventions, 1940 and 1956,
Chairman of the Mississippi Delegation at the latter. Presidential
elector for Roosevelt and Truman, 1944. Democratic National
Committeeman for Mississippi, 1952.
On June 22, 1965, nominated by President Johnson to be a Judge of the
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and confirmed
by the Senate, July 26, 1965. Took the Oath of Office, August 16,
1965.
