Alexander G. McNutt graduated from Washington College and practiced law in Mississippi, where he later became involved in state politics. He served as a Selectman in Vicksburg and was elected to the Mississippi State Senate, eventually becoming its President. McNutt was elected governor of Mississippi, during which he oversaw the establishment of the state library, land procurement for a state university, and the completion of the state penitentiary. His tenure was marked by opposition to central banking, which led to significant state debt.

Alexander G. McNutt's political career is marked by a distinctive blend of regional advocacy and ideological rigidity. His staunch opposition to central banking reveals a deeply rooted skepticism of concentrated financial power, which he believed corrupted governance. Despite this, McNutt's tenure as governor saw significant state development, including the establishment of a state library and university, showcasing an unexpected alignment between his economic conservatism and support for public infrastructure. His boundary resurvey with Tennessee further illustrates a calculated approach to regional interests, balancing ideological stances with tangible state benefits.