Benton McMillin - Tennessee State Museum

Tennessee State Museum

Record No:	76.87
Subject:	McMillan, Benton
Artist:	See Below.
Date:	1902
Media:	Oil on canvas.
Dimensions:	N/A
Location:	TN State Museum 505 Deadrick Street. Nashville, TN 37243 Web Contact: TN State Museum

History:	The portrait is of a man's head and shoulders, facing the viewer's left. He is portly, and has a walrus mustache, a high forehead and is wearing a black suit, black tie and white shirt. The object file on this portrait suggests that the artist could be either Cornelius Hankins or Lloyd Branson.
Notes:	Benton McMillin (1845-1933) was born and educated in Kentucky. he read law and opened a practice in 1871. He served in the state legislature 1875-1877. He was elected to Congress in 1879 and served until 1898, when he was elected governor. During his two terms the long boundary line dispute between Virginia and Tennessee was settled. Working with the legislature, McMillan was responsible for the adoption of uniform textbooks in schools and for a tax to support high schools. After completing his second term he entered the insurance business. He served as minister to Peru 1913-1919 and minister to Guatamala 1919-1922. He died January 8, 1933 at Nashville and is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Tennessee Blue Book
Categories:	Portrait paintings; Governors; Men.