A. Linwood Holton Jr. is an American politician who served as the 62nd Governor of Virginia from 1970 to 1974. He was the first Republican governor of the state since the Reconstruction era and is known for his efforts to promote racial integration in public schools during a time of significant social change. Holton was born on September 21, 1923, in Bristol, Virginia. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he attended Washington and Lee University and later became a successful lawyer. His tenure as governor is remembered for his commitment to education and civil rights.