| William Pitt Ballinger | |
| Birth Date: | September 25, 1825 |
| Birth Place: | Barbourville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Galveston, Texas, U.S. |
| Party: | Whig |
| Spouse: | Harriet "Hally" Patrick Ballinger |
| Children: | Betty Ballinger plus four others |
| Profession: | Politician, Lawyer |
William Pitt Ballinger (September 25, 1825 – January 20, 1888) was an American lawyer and statesman in Texas. He had a significant impact on the development of Texas realty and railroad law. He originally supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. Following the war, he was instrumental in the reconstruction in Texas, the emancipation of black slaves, and the industrial development of the South.
Ballinger was born in Barbourville, Kentucky on September 25, 1825. He was the eldest child of James Franklin Ballinger and Olivia Adams, who named him for William Pitt. His mother died after giving birth to two daughters and another son, all of whom were raised by James.[1]
Ballinger's early education was informal. It included homeschooling by his father, attending presentations at the county courthouse, and reading books from his father's classical library. In 1840, Ballinger was invited to attend a recently opened Jesuit school in Bardstown, Kentucky, St. Mary's Catholic College.[2]
Ballinger left his native state for Galveston, Texas in 1843 in an attempt to improve his health. After his arrival, he studied law under James Love.[3]
Like the Governor of Texas, Sam Houston, Ballinger was pro-Union and opposed secession, but the Unionists were outvoted in a statewide referendum by a margin of 46,129 to 14,697. Yet he was also an adversary to the Republican Party and offered his full support to the Confederacy after secession.[4]
Ballinger married Hallie P. Jack in 1850. They had two sons, and three daughters, including Betty Ballinger.[5]
Ballinger died in Galveston on January 20, 1888.[5]
The town of Ballinger, Texas was officially named in his honor.[6]