Abstract:
Throughout his career in public service, William Woods Holden was a very controversial figure. During his tenure as governor of North Carolina, Holden angered the opposition by his response and actions against the violence of the Ku Klux Klan, the violation of political rights in the Piedmont region, and by several reckless political situations. In 1870, the General Assembly impeached Holden and convicted him of violating the civil liberties of certain citizens. This ruling barred him from ever holding public office again and he spent the rest of his life unsuccessfully attempting to repeal his disbarment and impeachment.