Austin Peay

Austin Peay (; June 1, 1876 – October 2, 1927) was an American politician who served as the 35th governor of Tennessee from 1923 to 1927. He was the state's first governor since the Civil War to win three consecutive terms and the first to die in office. He created Tennessee's first state park and assured the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. During his tenure, the balance of power in state politics shifted from the state legislature to the governor. He attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, and Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, before moving to Clarksville, Tennessee, to practice law. He was practically penniless when he married Sallie Hurst in Clarksville in 1895.

In 1900, Peay was elected to Montgomery County's seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives. He was elected chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Committee in 1905. He created the Tennessee State Parks and Forestry Commission in 1925.

Peay won a third term as Governor in 1926, defeating Hill McAlister in the primary election and Walter White in the general.

Entities named for Peay include Austin Peay State University and a portion of Tennessee State Route 14.

Family

Peay married Sallie Hurst in 1895. They had two children.