George Washington Hays was born in Camden, Arkansas, and attended public schools before studying law at Washington and Lee University. He began his career as a farmer, store clerk, and teacher before establishing his own law practice in Camden. Hays served as a judge in Ouachita County and later as a Thirteenth Circuit Court Judge. He was elected Governor of Arkansas in 1913, focusing on road improvement, labor laws, and completing the state capitol building. After his governorship, Hays returned to private law practice and published articles in national periodicals.

George Washington Hays's political career reveals a unique blend of progressive infrastructure initiatives and conservative social policies. His focus on road improvements and labor laws demonstrates an ideologically agile approach to economic development, while his enforcement of a statewide prohibition law highlights a surprising alignment with socially conservative measures. This juxtaposition invites deeper inquiry into how Hays reconciles these seemingly divergent priorities within his broader political philosophy.