Solomon Blatt Portrait-www.scstatehouse.net

Solomon Blatt (1896-1986)

Speaker of the South Carolina House 1937-1946; 1951-1973
Speaker Emeritus of the South Carolina House 1973-1986

A son of poor Jewish immigrants, Solomon Blatt became a center of power and controversy in the SC House of Representatives during most of his 54 years as a lawmaker. Blatt was Speaker of the House for more than 3 decades.

Blatt died at the age of 91. Even though he was Jewish his funeral service was led by a rabbi and Baptist and Lutheran ministers. He was buried next to his wife in the cemetary of the Episcopal Church in Barnwell, S.C. "The word `integrity' is synonomous with the name Sol Blatt," said by Rev. Posey Belcher, a close friend of Blatt's.

In 1982, the House dedicated the legislative session to Blatt. "I've tried to do the best I could for this state," Blatt responded,"a state I love so much."

This page last updated: 8/12/02 3:06 PM