Born at Bishopville, son of Governor Thomas G. McLeod and Elizabeth Alford McLeod. Educated at University of South Carolina, A.B., 1930; LL.B., 1932. Admitted to Bar, 1932.
Practiced Columbia. Assistant Counsel, Federal Land Bank, 1933–35; Special Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, 1935–42. Law partners: E. McLeod Singletary, 1947–72; Yancey A. McLeod, Jr., 1972–75. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, 1951–55. Trial specialist in eminent domain proceedings.
President, South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, 1963–64. President, Richland County Bar Association, 1961–62. Permanent Member, U.S. Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference.
Senator from Richland County, 1946–50. State Chairman, S.C. Democratic Party, 1964–66; Delegate and Member, Platform Committee, 1964 Democratic National Convention. State Chairman, Re–elect President Lyndon B. Johnson Campaign, 1964.
Attained rank of Major, U.S. Marine Corps, 1942–45; 17 months combat service.
Deacon, First Presbyterian Church; Member, Board of Visitors, Presbyterian College, 1974–75.
Gifted trial lawyer, fearless political leader, and dedicated churchman.
Married Brownlee Neely Hair. Two children: Melinda McLeod Rouselle, Ph.D.; and Yancey A. McLeod, Jr.