Gilbert Carlton Walker (August 1, 1833 – May 11, 1885) was an American politician. He served as the 36th Governor of Virginia, first as a Republican provisional governor between 1869 and 1870, and again as a Democrat elected governor from 1870 to 1874. He was the last Republican governor of Virginia until Linwood Holton took office in 1970.
Early and family life
Walker was born in Binghamton, New York on August 1, 1833, the son of Sabinus Walker and Matilda (Galloway) Walker. Primary source documents including U.S. and state census entries and U.S. passport applications indicate that Walker was born in New York state. The 1855 New York State Census indicates he was born in Broome County, New York, which includes Binghamton. Most secondary sources indicate that he was born in Binghamton. He attended academies in Delaware, New York and Binghamton, New York, then attended Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts from 1851 to 1852. Walker was also a director of the Atlantic Iron Works and Dock Company and served as its president from 1866 to 1869. He did not stand for reelection in 1878.