Compiled by Russell Bastedo
State Curator
1998

Meldrim Thomson, Jr. (1973-1979). Born Pittsburgh (PA); Orford (NH) publisher.

Thomson (1912-2001) graduated from Miami (FL) High School (1930) and completed his undergraduate years at Mercer University Law School and at Washington & Jefferson College. Thomson earned his law degree at University of Georgia Law School and was admitted to the Florida bar (1936).

Thomson worked with Edward Thompson Publishing, of Brooklyn, New York (1936-1951), a publisher of law reports and legal texts. In 1951 Thomson founded his own legal publishing Company, Equity Publishing, and in 1954 he moved the company and his family from New York City to Orford (NH).

Thomson served in the state constitutional convention (1964) and ran for governor in 1968 and 1970. He was elected governor in the 1972 election and served three consecutive terms. Thomson's anti-income tax "Axe The Tax" slogan became a part of state history, and during his tenure "Live Free Or Die" replaced the word "Scenic" on state motor vehicle license plates.

Location: State House Second Floor
Portrait by Joseph Swan, 1996; Presented 1996