Russell McWhorter Cunningham (1855-1921)

Alabama Governor. A member of the Democratic Party he served as acting Governor of Alabama from April 25, 1904, to March 5, 1905. He was the lieutenant governor when Governor William D. Jelks fell ill and left the state for treatment, and since the Alabama Constitution requires that if the governor leaves the state for more than 20 days, the lieutenant governor must act as governor until their return. He received his initial education in local public schools and at the age of seventeen began teaching school. In 1871 he began to study medicine and in 1881 he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York City, New York, from which he graduated the following year. In 1881 he was appointed physician of the Alabama State Penitentiary and moved to Wetumpka. In 1880 he entered politics and was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives, serving from 1880 until 1881. In 1896 he was elected to the Alabama State Senate serving until 1900. In 1903 he was elected as Alabama's Lieutenant Governor and upon the expiration of his term, he resumed his medical practice. He died at the age of 65.

Bio by: William Bjornstad