Bill Hobby

A comprehensive biography of a legendary lieutenant governor.During his five terms as lieutenant governor of Texas, Bill Hobby became one of the most powerful political figures in the state s history. He was first elected lieutenant governor of Texas in 1972 and served until 1990. Thanks to his brilliance as a political tactician and his personal integrity, Hobby was able to set the Senate s agenda and garner respect from legislators on both sides of the aisle.In Bill Hobby: A Life in Journalism and Public Service, Don Carleton and Erin Purdy document Hobby s significant contributions to Texas as a journalist, politician, and philanthropist. Born into a prominent Texas family with a rich legacy of public service, he was the son of Houston newspaper publisher and former Texas governor William P. Hobby Sr., and Oveta Culp Hobby, who led the Women s Army Corps during World War II and served in Eisenhower s cabinet. After more than a decade as a journalist for the Houston Post, Hobby forged his own political path while also playing a prominent role in his family s newspaper and television business.Hobby was never shy about using his power to serve the people of Texas. Even after he left office, he continued to make a difference as a strong advocate for public education, including a term as chancellor of the University of Houston.