William Meade Fishback

William Meade Fishback (5 November 1831 – 9 February 1903) was a Democratic Governor of Arkansas and selected to be a member of the United States Senate but was not allowed to serve.

Fishback was a delegate to the 1874 Arkansas Constitutional Convention. He served as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1871 to 1881. Fishback introduced what came to be known as the "Fishback Amendment", now known as Amendment 1 (codified as Article 20) of the Arkansas Constitution. This amendment prohibited the state authorities from paying the Holford railroad aid and levee bonds. Failure to pay the Holford debt created credit problems for the state that lasted well into the 20th century.

On 5 September 1892, Fishback was elected Governor of Arkansas. Fishback's administration focused on changing the national image of the state. During his term, the St. Francis River levee district was formed. William M. Fishback died of a stroke. Fishback is buried at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

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