Wallace, George Corley

Hard of hearing. Graduated University of Alabama Law School in 1942. Served as a flight engineer during World War II, where noise exposure left him hard of hearing. Post-war, served as assistant state attorney and then a judge; also elected to the state legislature. Elected governor of Alabama 1962-1966, when he gained notoriety for his support of racial segregation. Re-elected governor 1970-1978. His hearing loss seems to have become greater during middle age. Ran unsuccessfully for president in 1968, 1972, and 1976. During the 1972 campaign, he was shot and permanently paralized from the waist down in an assassination attempt. During the middle 1970s, he began more openly wearing a hearing aid. During the 1980s, he renounced his racial biases and reconciled with civil rights leaders. Elected again to the Alabama governorship 1982-1987, but left politics in the latter year due to poor health. The George C. Wallace Hearing and Speech Center at the University of Motevallo, AL, is named in his honor.