| 1922 | Born August 27, Camden, S.C. |
| 1942 | Awarded A.B. degree in political science from The Citadel , where
he was captain of the debating team. |
| Entered Army as a Lieutenant, June 10; served until February 22, 1946. |
| August 29, married Lois Rhame of Camden, S.C. |
| 1945 | Member, U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey, Japan |
| Awarded Army Commendation Medal. |
| 1946 | Awarded LL.B. degree from University of South Carolina. |
| Formed law practice, Murchison & West, Camden, S.C. |
| 1948-52 | Member, S.C. Highway Commission. |
| 1954 | Coordinated U.S. Senate campaign of Edgar A. Brown. |
| 1955-66 | Member, S.C. Senate, representing Kershaw County. |
| 1956 | Member, Senate Committee studying public school curriculum. |
| 1957-64 | Member, Senate Committee Investigating Communist Activities. |
| 1959 | Member, special Senate Committee studying needs of the State Development Board. |
| 1964 | Member, Governor's Committee to Lend Support to the Nursing Profession. |
| 1965 | Member, Governor's Committee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing State Supported Junior Colleges. |
| 1966 | Member, Legislative Committee to Make a Study of the Constitution of South Carolina. |
| 1967-71 | Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina. |
| 1968 | Member, Governor's Advisory Committee on World Trade. |
| 1969 | Member, Governor's Advisory Committee on Housing. |
| 1971-75 | Governor of South Carolina. |
| 1975 | Announced formation of law firm West, Bendorf, Cooper, Bowen and Quinn with offices in Columbia, Camden, and Hilton Head, S.C. |
| 1977-81 | U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. |
