Saturday, December 14

History

James S. Sherman: So Many Firsts…
28Mar By Simon BlaugNo Comments
History

James S. Sherman: So Many Firsts…

Affectionately known as "Sunny Jim" by supporters and colleagues alike, James S. Sherman may not have been the most gifted of administrators, but as a politician, he was nothing short of a maestro. So when he was nominated to be the Republican Party's Vice Presidential nominee in 1908, it didn't come as a surprise to many. But whilst his predecessors and successors were dull administrators, Sherman reinvented himself to become a first of firsts so to speak. He was the first vice president to fly in an airplane and the first to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game. On a more morbid note, he's also the most recent Vice President to die in office... (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life Congress Vice-President Il...
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How The Udall Family Became The Strangest Political Family Ever
21Mar By Leonard BurgessNo Comments
History

How The Udall Family Became The Strangest Political Family Ever

Rooted in the American West and members of the LDS church, the Udall family have become one of the strangest political families due to their political intermarrying and bipartisan nature. Indeed, whilst the family has historically been associated with the Democrats, some cousins are Republicans, as their ancestors married into strong Republican political families and took their political stances. Even today, members of the family find themselves on opposite sides of the Senate and other legislative bodies. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Foundation Second Generation Third Generation Fourth Generation Non-Udall In-Laws Future
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Taft Family: More Than Just Politics
21Feb By Simon BlaugNo Comments
History

Taft Family: More Than Just Politics

Know chiefly for their contributions to politics in all three branches of government, the Taft family are arguably one of the most important families in US history - up there with the likes of the Kennedys and Bushes - yet their contributions to law is just as great. The founders and longtime partners of Ohio-based law firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister, William Howard Taft, who not only served as the 27 President of the United States from 1909-1913, but also as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the only man to hold both positions. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Origins Arrival in The New World Taft Presidency Law Taft Stettinius & Hollister Continued Political Prominence
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The Interesting Political Life of Leland Stanford: More Than Just Railroads And Universities
17Jan By Leonard BurgessNo Comments
History

The Interesting Political Life of Leland Stanford: More Than Just Railroads And Universities

Today, Stanford University stands as a testament to Leland Stanford's business acumen. And though he is best remembered for his founding of the university in his son's name and his railroad empire, he also had a particularly interesting political career too. Indeed, as the eighth Governor of California and the first Republican to hold that office, Stanford presided over a politically significant - and not to mention turbulent - time in the young state's history, one whose legacy can still be seen today, over 130 years later! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life Amasa Leland Stanford, better known to his friends as simply "Leland" was born on March 9 1824 in the town of Watervliet, New York, now a part of the town of Colonie in Albany Coun...
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Charles W. Fairbanks: From Log Cabin to Vice President
10Jan By Catalina CarrionNo Comments
History

Charles W. Fairbanks: From Log Cabin to Vice President

The 26th Vice President serving under Teddy Roosevelt, Charles W. Fairbanks was famous for his opposition to Roosevelt's "Square Deal" earning him the nickname of the "Puppet of Wall Street" and the ire of many Americans... A lawyer by trade, Fairbanks was born in a log cabin and through his own sheer intelligence (and some back alley deal making) rose up through the ranks of the Republican Party to win the VP nomination not once, but twice, and for two different presidents. Indeed, had he and Charles Evans Hughes won the 1916 election, Fairbanks would've become one of only three men to serve as vice president (after George Clinton and John C. Calhoun) and the only to serve non-consecutive terms! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life A...
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3Jan By Matthew BootenNo Comments
History

Charles Curtis: The First Native American in The Executive Branch

Today, many claim that the Republicans are racist. Though this can certainly be debated, you might first want to learn about Charles Curtis, the Republican 31st Vice President of the United and member of the Kew Nation of Kansas. Working his way up from a humble Congressman from the newly minted state of Kansas, Charles Curtis was later elected a Senator and eventually joined the VP ticket of Herbert Hoover's 1928 presidential campaign and again in their unsuccessful bid for reelection. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life Congressman First Term Senator Senator Vice Presidency Later Life & Death
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How Armand Hammer Became The Most Powerful Person in Cold War Politics!
27Dec By Regina SamuelsNo Comments
History

How Armand Hammer Became The Most Powerful Person in Cold War Politics!

Known in international circles as "Lenin's chosen capitalist" and "The Doctor" by his employees, Armand Hammer was not only one of the richest men on his time, but arguably the greatest diplomat the US has ever produced...despite never holding any official position. A pioneer of so-called "citizen diplomacy" long before Robert W. Fuller came along, Hammer had a strong relationship with both US presidents and Soviet Premiers stretching the entire Cold War and helped to pull the world back from nuclear Armageddon more times than anyone else. If his name seems familiar, it might be because actor Armie Hammer is his great-grandson, not that it has anything to do with Armand's diplomatic efforts. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life Travels...
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Why Lord Randolph Churchill Was More Important Than His Son!
29Nov By Catalina CarrionNo Comments
History

Why Lord Randolph Churchill Was More Important Than His Son!

Often overshadowed by his more famous son, Lord Randolph Churchill was every bit the skilled orator and politician his son, Winston, would be remembered for being. Indeed, had history played out slightly differently, he could've even been Prime Minister! Yet his disloyalty to Lord Salisbury in the Commons during the latter's second term seemed to end his promising career before it ever really began, though inadvertently paved the way for his son to become Prime Minister himself... (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life Randolph Henry Spencer-Churchill was born on the 13th of February 1849 at 3 Wilton Terrace in the affluent Central London district of Belgravia, as the third son of John Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford and his wife, L...
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How John Nance Garner Became Texas’ Most Colorful Politician
22Nov By Matthew BootenNo Comments
History

How John Nance Garner Became Texas’ Most Colorful Politician

One of only two men to serve as both the leader of the House and Senate, with a political career spanning 42 years, John Nance Garner became a sort-of father figure to the members of the Democratic Party and gained a reputation for being a gifted backroom politician. But despite serving term terms as the 32nd Vice President during Franklin Roosevelt's first two terms, John's seeming disloyalty - that is, his criticism of Roosevelt running for a third term in 1940 - saw him thrown off the 1940 ticket and replaced with Henry A. Wallace. When he left the office of Vice President, he ended his life of public service, instead retiring to his home in Texas and becoming a sort of unofficial political advisor to any Democrat who needed it. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle ...
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