Albert Patterson

Albert Patterson (c. 1894 – June 18 1954) was gunned down outside of his office in Phenix City, Alabama shortly after he won the Democratic nomination for state attorney general. Since the state was a Democratic stronghold, he was certain to be voted into the office.

Political life

Patterson, a former state senator, had won the election on a campaign promise to clean up the highly corrupt Phenix City, Alabama and was assassinated in 1954 before he could make good on it. His death brought about martial law in the city, however, and led to its revival and also led directly to the election of his son, John Malcolm Patterson, to the office of Governor of the state.

Popular history

Alan Grady's book "When Good Men Do Nothing: The Assassination of Albert Patterson" ISBN 0-8173-1141-6 chronicles the events leading to and following the murder.

These events were dramatized in the 1955 biopic film noir "The Phenix City Story", directed by Phil Karlson.

See also

* List of assassinated American politiciansMargaret Anne Barnes book "The Tragedy and Triumph of Phenix City, Alabama" chronicles the factual events leading up to the murder of Albert Patterson.

External links

*worldcat id|lccn-n2002-111793