Robert Burren Morgan

Image source: Robert B. Morgan

Robert Burren Morgan was born on October 5, 1925 in Lillington, Harnett County, North Carolina to James Harvey Morgan and Alice Butts Morgan.¹ Upon graduation from the Harnett County school system, Morgan attended East Carolina College from 1942-1944 and 1946-1947 where he graduated with a B.S. degree. He later attended the Wake Forest School of Law, graduating in 1950. From 1944-1946, Morgan served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was recalled to active duty from 1952-1955 during the Korean War and remained in the United States Navy until 1971. From 1971-1973, Morgan was a member of the United States Air Force Reserve.

While at Wake Forest, Morgan was elected Clerk of Court for Harnett County, a position he held from 1950-1954. A populist, Morgan was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1955 and served in that role until 1968 while simultaneously overseeing a successful legal practice in Lillington.² From 1969-1974, Morgan served as the 43rd Attorney General of North Carolina. He resigned to run for the United States Senate, defeating Republican William Stevens. Morgan served as Senator until 1980, when he was defeated by East Carolina professor John P. East. Morgan returned to his law practice, before again heading the call to public service as Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation under Lacy Thornburg from 1985-1992.³

Morgan was married to the former Katie Earle Owen of Roseboro, North Carolina. Together they raised three children: Margaret, Mary, and Rupert. A Baptist, Morgan also dedicated his life to religious causes, serving as Chair of the North Carolina Baptist Retirement Homes and as a Deacon in his home church, Memorial Baptist in Buies Creek.⁴

Morgan was a champion of his alma mater, East Carolina University. He served on the Board of Trustees and was instrumental in the attainment of university status and the establishment of the Brody School of Medicine. He was also selected as an Outstanding Alumnus and was a recipient of the Jarvis Medal. An instructional classroom in Joyner Library is dedicated in his honor.

Sources

• ¹ "Robert Morgan Obituary." July 18, 2016. Accessed November 23, 2016. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlotte/obituary.aspx?n=robert-burren-morgan&pid=180705183&fhid=16907
• ² “Robert Burren Morgan.” October 29, 2016. Accessed on November 23, 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burren_Morgan
• ³ “Robert Morgan Obituary.”
• ⁴ Ibid.

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