The supreme court of georgia ruled that he was the legitimate governor of the state in 1947

The governor is Melvin Ernest Thompson

Explanation:

Tragedy and confusion struck the state of Georgia on December 21, 1946, when the state's new governor-elect, Eugene Talmadge died before he could be sworn into office.

Sadly, Georgia had no law in its constitution that specified who is to assume the governorship in such a situation. As a result, three men claimed rights to the governorship.

They include the son of the late governor-elect - Herman Talmadge, the outgoing governor of Georgia - Ellis Arnall as well as Georgia's lieutenant governor-elect, Melvin Ernest Thompson.

Fortunately, the Supreme Court wade into the matter and ruled that Melvin Ernest Thompson was the right person in the governorship line of succession. Thus he became governor of Georgia in 1947.