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
William F. Knowland headshot.jpg
Senate Minority Leader
In office
January 3, 1955 – January 3, 1959
DeputyLeverett Saltonstall
Everett Dirksen
Preceded byLyndon B. Johnson
Succeeded byEverett Dirksen
Senate Majority Leader
In office
August 4, 1953 – January 3, 1955
DeputyLeverett Saltonstall
Preceded byRobert A. Taft
Succeeded byLyndon B. Johnson
Leader of the Senate Republican Conference
In office
August 4, 1953 – January 3, 1959
DeputyLeverett Saltonstall
Everett Dirksen
Preceded byRobert A. Taft
Succeeded byEverett Dirksen
Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee
In office
January 3, 1953 – August 4, 1953
LeaderRobert A. Taft
Preceded byRobert A. Taft
Succeeded byHomer S. Ferguson
United States Senator
from California
In office
August 26, 1945 – January 3, 1959
Preceded byHiram Johnson
Succeeded byClair Engle
Member of the California Senate
from the 16th district
In office
1935–1939
Preceded byArthur Breed Sr.
Succeeded byArthur Breed Jr.
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 14th district
In office
1933–1935
Preceded byFrank Israel
Succeeded byCharles Wagner
Personal details
Born
William Fife Knowland

(1908-06-26)June 26, 1908
Alameda, California, U.S.
DiedFebruary 23, 1974(1974-02-23) (aged 65)
Guerneville, California, U.S.
Cause of deathSuicide by gunshot
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Helen Davis Herrick
(m. 1926; div. 1972)

Ann Dickson (m. 1972)
Children3, including Joe
2 stepchildren
RelativesJoseph R. Knowland (Father)
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley (BA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1942–1945
RankMajor
UnitForward Echelon Communications Zone
Fifteenth United States Army
Battles/warsWorld 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

References

  1. 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]