February 1, 2013 / Joanne Yeck

Buckingham Notables: Governor Philip Watkins McKinney

Buckingham produced one Virginia governor, Philip Watkins McKinney (1832-1899).

The son of Charles and Martha Guerrant McKinney, he was born on March 17, 1832 at New Store, graduated Hampden-Sydney College (1851), and studied law under Judge Brockenbrough at Washington College (now Washington and Lee University).

Governor from 1890-1894, McKinney is noted for his impact on Virginia’s economic recovery during the “New South” era. During his term of office, he eliminated the state debt which had burdened Virginia since the 1820s. One of his programs gave prison inmates meaningful work, while adding significant revenue to the state coffers.

See the detail map for Sheppards, Curdsville, and New Store for the location of the McKinney home.