Robert W. Hemphill
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Robert Witherspoon Hemphill (May 10, 1915 - December 25, 1983) was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina, great-great-nephew of John Hemphill, great-nephew of John J. Hemphill, great-nephew of William Huggins Brawley, and great-great-grandson of Robert Witherspoon.
Born in Chester, South Carolina, Hemphill attended the public schools. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1936 and from the law school of the same university in 1938. He was admitted to the bar in 1938 and commenced the practice of law in Chester. Volunteered in 1941 as a flying cadet in the United States Air Force and served as a bomber pilot until December 1945. He served as chairman of Chester County Democratic conventions in 1946 and 1947. He served as member of State house of representatives 1947-1948. He served as solicitor of the Sixth South Carolina Judicial Circuit 1951-1956. He served as delegate to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Congress in London in 1959.
Hemphill was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-fifth and to the three succeeding Congresses, serving from January 3, 1957, until his resignation May 1, 1964, when he was sworn in as United States district judge of South Carolina. He was a resident of Chester, South Carolina until his death there December 25, 1983. He was interred in Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Chester, South Carolina.
