Christie Benet

Christie Benet
United States Senator fromSouth Carolina
In office July 6, 1918 – November 5, 1918
Appointed by	Richard Irvine Manning III
Preceded by	Benjamin Tillman
Succeeded by	William P. Pollock
Personal details
Born	(1879-12-26)December 26, 1879 Abbeville, South Carolina,U.S.
Died	March 30, 1951(1951-03-30)(aged 71) Columbia, South Carolina,U.S.
Political party	Democratic

William Christie Benet Jr.(December 26, 1879 – March 30, 1951) was aDemocratic Partypolitician who briefly represented the state ofSouth Carolinain theUnited States Senatein 1918.

Early years

Benet was born inAbbeville, South Carolina;he attended the common schools in his youth, and matriculated at theCollege of Charleston,theUniversity of South Carolina,and theUniversity of Virginia,where he graduated in 1902.

Football

He playedcollege footballas aguardatSouth Carolinaand was a startackleforVirginia,selectedAll-Southernin1901.

Benet coached football at South Carolina in 1903 and 1907.He assisted coach and Virginia teammateBob Williamsin1902,when Carolina upsetJohn Heisman'sClemsonteam.

Law career

He studied the law, and upon his admission to the bar began practice inColumbia, South Carolina,in 1903.Solicitorof thefifth judicial circuitin 1908, Benet became Columbia'scity attorneyfrom 1910 to 1912. He was the secretary of the Democratic State committee three times.

Senator

On July 6, 1918 he was appointed to the Senate to fill out the term ofBenjamin R. Tillman,who died in office. He served until November 5, when a successor to the position was elected; Benet himself was an unsuccessful candidate in the same election to fill the vacancy. During his brief time in the Senate, Benet was the chairman of theCommittee on National Banks;upon his defeat, he resumed his practice.

State hospital

From 1915 he was a member of theboard of regentsof theSouth Carolina State Hospital,later becoming the chairman of the board; in this capacity he served until 1946.

War and death

World War II

DuringWorld War IIBenet chaired theWar Finance Committee for South Carolina.

Death

He was serving as the chairman of theAlien Enemy Hearing Boardfor the state's eastern district at his death; he died in Columbia, and was interred locally inElmwood Cemetery.Benet Hall, a residence hall atClemson University,is named in his honor.

Head coaching record

Year	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Bowl/playoffs
South Carolina Gamecocks(Independent)(1904–1905)
1904	South Carolina	4–3–1
1905	South Carolina	4–2–1
South Carolina Gamecocks(Independent)(1908–1909)
1908	South Carolina	3–5–1
1909	South Carolina	2–6
South Carolina:		13–16–3
Total:		13–16–3

External links

• United States Congress."Christie Benet (id: B000360)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Christie BenetatFind a Grave