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Robert Allan Shivers (1907 - 1985) was a Texas politician who led the conservative faction of the Texas Democratic Party during the turbulent 1940s and 1950s. Allan Shivers also developed the lieutenant governor's post into an extremely powerful perch in state government. Born October 5, 1907 in Lufkin, the seat of Angelina County in east Texas, Shivers was educated at The University of Texas, having procured a law degree in 1933. In 1934, he was elected to the Texas State Senate, becoming the youngest person to ever serve in the State Senate. He served in the Senate from 1934-1946, except for two years service in the United States Army during World War II, from which he was discharged with the rank of Major. In 1946, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas. He is credited with developing the "ideas, practices, and techniques of leadership" that made the office the most powerful post in Texas government. When Governor Beauford Jester died on July 11, 1949, Shivers succeeded him -- the only lieutenant governor to gain the governor's office through the death of his predecessor. In 1950, Shivers won election as the governor in his own right; he then set the three-term precedent by running again and winning in 1952 and 1954. In 1952, Shivers proved so popular that he was listed on the gubernatorial ballot twice, as the nominee of both the Democratic and Republican parties (Democrat Shivers handily defeated Republican Shivers). Shivers holds the record for longest continuous service as Texas Governor at 7 1/2 years (Bill Clements served eight years, but over two non-consecutive terms; if Rick Perry serves at least until June 2008, he will surpass Shiver's record for continuous service.) Shivers disputed the Truman administration's claim on the Tidelands and disapproved of Truman's veto that would have vested tideland ownership in the states. Bucking the tradition of the "Solid South," Shivers delivered Texas in the 1952 presidential election for Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower--only the second time that Texas had supported a Republican for president since Reconstruction. The state Republican Party reciprocated by nominating Shivers for governor; he thus ran as the nominee of both parties. It is believed that Shivers lost popularity with some voters over his disloyalty to the Democratic party. He also became less popular due to his opposition to the Brown v. Board of Education decision and his link to the Veterans Land Board Scandal. Shivers did help enact laws raising teacher salaries and granting retirement benefits to state employees. Shivers retired from politics in 1957 and went into business. In 1973 Shivers was appointed to a six-year term to The University of Texas Board of Regents, serving as chairman of the board for four years. During this time he donated his Austin home, Woodlawn, the historic Pease mansion, to The University to help raise funds for its law school. In 1980, Shivers was instrumental in securing a $5 million grant for the U.T. College of Communications, which soon thereafter established an endowed chair of journalism in his honor. Finally, he served as a member of The University of Texas Centennial Commission, which oversaw the 100th anniversary celebration of The University's founding in 1883. On January 14, 1985, Shivers died suddenly from a massive heart attack in Austin. He was survived by his wife Marialice (Shary), three sons and a daughter, and ten grandchildren.
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