Robert McAlpin Williamson: Texas' Three Legged Willie

Many readers will know Robert McAlpin Williamson by the sobriquet "Three Legged Willie." Despite the infirmity that inspired the moniker, Williamson rose to prominence in early Texas. He edited newspapers at San Felipe, formed a company of rangers, conspired with William Barret Travis at Anahuac, rallied for Texas independence, then fought at the Battle of San Jacinto. He served the Republic of Texas as a Supreme Court Justice and legislator. He then turned his energies to advocating for Texas' annexation to the United States. Williamson was known for his legislative cunning and engaging oratory. His well-developed wit and charisma featured prominently in a posthumous biographical sketch published in the Texas Almanac for 1861: "...there was a fi re and a vigor in his speech thatsurpass all description. True, there was quaintnessand eccentricity, but it was all stamped withthe originality and power of genius."This is the first and only book-length treatment of Robert McAlpin Williamson's life.