Rufus W. Cobb holds a degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and was admitted to the bar in 1855. He served in the Confederate States Army, rising to the rank of captain, and later transitioned to public service, holding multiple terms in the Alabama Senate and as governor. Cobb also had a significant career in the private sector, managing industrial operations and engaging in agricultural and mining ventures. His leadership roles included serving as president of the Central Iron Works and grand master of the grand lodge of Alabama in the York Rite Masons.

Rufus W. Cobb's political identity is marked by an intriguing blend of progressive infrastructure initiatives and conservative fiscal policies. His tenure saw the creation of vital state institutions while simultaneously reducing state debt and improving tax assessments. Cobb's legislative efforts on railroads and state institutions contrast sharply with his unsuccessful push for a statewide prohibition law, revealing a complex approach to social issues. His deep involvement in civic organizations like the Masons adds another layer to his multifaceted political persona.