William Knowland
William Fife Knowland (June 26, 1908 – February 23, 1974) was an American politician, newspaper publisher, and Republican Party leader. He was a U.S. Senator representing California from 1945 to 1959. He was Senate Majority Leader from August 1953 to January 1955 after the death of Robert A. Taft. In 1958, he made a failed run for Governor of California.
William Knowland | |
---|---|
Senate Minority Leader | |
In office January 3, 1955 – January 3, 1959 | |
Deputy | Leverett Saltonstall Everett Dirksen |
Preceded by | Lyndon B. Johnson |
Succeeded by | Everett Dirksen |
Senate Majority Leader | |
In office August 4, 1953 – January 3, 1955 | |
Deputy | Leverett Saltonstall |
Preceded by | Robert A. Taft |
Succeeded by | Lyndon B. Johnson |
Leader of the Senate Republican Conference | |
In office August 4, 1953 – January 3, 1959 | |
Deputy | Leverett Saltonstall Everett Dirksen |
Preceded by | Robert A. Taft |
Succeeded by | Everett Dirksen |
Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee | |
In office January 3, 1953 – August 4, 1953 | |
Leader | Robert A. Taft |
Preceded by | Robert A. Taft |
Succeeded by | Homer S. Ferguson |
United States Senator from California | |
In office August 26, 1945 – January 3, 1959 | |
Preceded by | Hiram Johnson |
Succeeded by | Clair Engle |
Member of the California Senate from the 16th district | |
In office 1935–1939 | |
Preceded by | Arthur Breed Sr. |
Succeeded by | Arthur Breed Jr. |
Member of the California State Assembly from the 14th district | |
In office 1933–1935 | |
Preceded by | Frank Israel |
Succeeded by | Charles Wagner |
Personal details | |
Born | William Fife Knowland June 26, 1908 Alameda, California, U.S. |
Died | February 23, 1974 Guerneville, California, U.S. | (aged 65)
Cause of death | Suicide by gunshot |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Helen Davis Herrick (m. 1926; div. 1972) Ann Dickson (m. 1972) |
Children | 3, including Joe 2 stepchildren |
Relatives | Joseph R. Knowland (Father) |
Education | University of California, Berkeley (BA) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1942–1945 |
Rank | Major |
Unit | Forward Echelon Communications Zone Fifteenth United States Army |
Battles/wars | World War II |
On February 23, 1974, Knowland shot himself in the head at his summer home near Guerneville, California at the age of 65. He died owing over $900,000 to banks and impatient mobsters.[1]
William Knowland Media
Knowland atop an elephant at a circus in Orange County, California, during his unsuccessful run for California Governor in 1958
Senator William Knowland announces candidacy in the Republican primary for Governor of California
References
- ↑ Montgomery and Johnson, One Step from the White House: The Rise and Fall of Senator William F. Knowland (1998) pp 283-305
Other websites
- United States Congress. "William Knowland (id: K000292)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-02-09
- "William Knowland". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
- Oakland Tribune Archives
- William F. Knowland Papers Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley
- Knowland Family California at Political Graveyard
- William Knowland Political History
- Oral history interview [1]