Francis Lubbock

Who was Francis Lubbock?

Francis Richard Lubbock was the ninth Governor of Texas and was in office during the American Civil War. He was the brother of Thomas Saltus Lubbock, for whom Lubbock County, Texas and the City of Lubbock are named.

Born in Beaufort, South Carolina, Lubbock was a businessman in South Carolina before moving to Texas in 1836. During the Republic of Texas period, President Sam Houston appointed Lubbock to be comptroller.

In 1857, Lubbock was elected lieutenant governor of Texas as a Democrat but failed in his reelection bid in 1859. Following the Confederate secession in 1861, Lubbock won the governorship of Texas. During his tenure, he supported Confederate conscription, working to draft all able-bodied men, including resident aliens, into the Confederate States Army.

When Lubbock's term ended in 1863, he joined the Confederate Army and was appointed to a lieutenant colonel's position, serving under Major General John B. Magruder. By 1864, Lubbock was promoted to aide-de-camp for Jefferson Davis. Following the Confederacy's military collapse Lubbock fled from Richmond, Virginia with Davis. They were soon caught by Union troops in Georgia. He was imprisoned at Fort Delaware for eight months before being paroled.