Born and raised in Savannah, Alexander A. Lawrence was a respected lawyer, historian, and author in the city. After nearly four decades of practicing law in the private sector, Lawrence was appointed as a United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of Georgia in 1968. While known for his tenure as judge, he was the author of notable books such as Storm Over Savannah: The Story of Count D’Estaing and the Siege of the Town in 1779, A President for Mr. Lincoln: The Story of Savannah from Secession to Sherman, and A History of the Georgia Supreme Court. In line with his passion for history, Judge Lawrence was the president of the Georgia Historical Society from 1945-1952. He died in 1979 and is buried at the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah.

Sources:

• Vertical File:
  • “Lawrence to Become Senior Judge” in the Savannah Morning News, January 13, 1978
  • “Lawrence Gets U.S. Court Post” undated and unknown newspaper article.
• Alexander Atkinson Lawrence papers GHS 2019