James E. "Big Jim" Folsom Sr. served two terms as governor of Alabama (1947-51, 1955-59).

Courtesy of Alabama Department of Archives and History

James E. "Big Jim" Folsom Sr.

James E. "Big Jim" Folsom Sr. served two terms as governor of Alabama (1947-51, 1955-59). Running on a populist platform, Folsom backed progressive political and social reforms.