J. Caleb Boggs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids J. Caleb Boggs
Boggs in February 1947
United States Senator from Delaware
In office January 3, 1961 – January 3, 1973
Preceded by	J. Allen Frear Jr.
Succeeded by	Joe Biden
Chair of the National Governors Association
In office June 25, 1959 – June 26, 1960
Preceded by	LeRoy Collins
Succeeded by	Stephen McNichols
62nd Governor of Delaware
In office January 20, 1953 – December 30, 1960
Lieutenant	John W. Rollins David P. Buckson
Preceded by	Elbert N. Carvel
Succeeded by	David P. Buckson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's at-large district
In office January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1953
Preceded by	Philip A. Traynor
Succeeded by	Herbert B. Warburton
Associate Judge of the New Castle County Family Court
In office November 9, 1942 – January 3, 1947
Preceded by	Billy Bickson
Succeeded by	Johnathan Taylor
Personal details
Born	James Caleb Boggs (1909-05-15)May 15, 1909 Cheswold, Delaware, U.S.
Died	March 26, 1993(1993-03-26) (aged 83) Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Elizabeth Muir
Children	2
Education	University of Delaware (BA) Georgetown University (LLB)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1941–1946
Rank	Colonel
Unit	6th Armored Division
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Campaign Stars (5) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Croix de Guerre

James Caleb Boggs (May 15, 1909 – March 26, 1993) was an American lawyer and politician from Claymont in New Castle County, Delaware. A liberal Republican, he was commonly known by his middle name, Caleb, frequently shortened to Cale.

He was a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Republican Party, who served three terms as U.S. Representative from Delaware, two terms as Governor of Delaware, and two terms as U.S. Senator from Delaware. He ran for re-election in 1972, but was defeated by 3,162 votes by then-New Castle County Councilman and future US President Joe Biden.

Early life and education

Boggs was born on May 15, 1909, at Cheswold, Delaware, the son of Edgar Jefferson and Lettie Vaughn Boggs. He married Elizabeth Muir and had two children, Cale, Jr. and Marilu. They were members of the Methodist Church.

He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1931 and from Georgetown Law School in 1937.

Career

In 1938, he was admitted to the Delaware State Bar Association and began the practice of law at Dover, Delaware.

During World War II, he served in the US Army with the 6th Armored Division fighting in Normandy, the Rhineland, the Ardennes, and central Europe. He earned five Campaign Stars, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Croix de Guerre with palm from France.

U.S. House of Representatives

Boggs was appointed Associate Judge of the Family Court of New Castle County in 1946. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1946, defeating incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative Philip A. Traynor. He won the election a total of three times, also defeating Democrats J. Carl McGuigan in 1948, and Henry M. Winchester in 1950. Boggs served in the U.S. House from January 3, 1947, to January 3, 1953.

Governor of Delaware

Boggs as governor.

Boggs was elected Governor of Delaware in 1952, defeating incumbent Democratic Governor Elbert N. Carvel, and won a second term in 1956, defeating Democrat J. H. Tyler McConnell. He served as governor from January 20, 1953, to December 30, 1960, when he resigned because of his upcoming U.S. Senate term. On April 2, 1958, he signed the bill that ended capital punishment in Delaware.

U.S. Senate

Boggs with President Gerald Ford

Boggs was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1960, narrowly defeating incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator J. Allen Frear Jr. by 1.4 percentage points, and becoming the only Republican to defeat an incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator that year. He was again elected to the U.S. Senate in 1966, defeating Democrat James M. Tunnell Jr., son of the former U.S. Senator. He served two terms from January 3, 1961, to January 3, 1973. Boggs voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968, as well as the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the confirmation of Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Boggs lost his bid for a third term in 1972 to the future 47th Vice President and 46th President, Democrat Joe Biden, then a New Castle County councilman. Boggs was a reluctant candidate that year, being persuaded to run only to help avoid a divisive primary election. Biden waged an energetic campaign, questioning Boggs's age and ability, and went on to defeat Boggs by approximately 1.4 percentage points. In his last years, Boggs lived in Wilmington, Delaware, where he continued the practice of law.

Death and legacy

Boggs died at Wilmington and is buried in the Old Presbyterian Cemetery in Dover, on the grounds of the Delaware State Museum. The J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building at 844 King Street in Wilmington, Delaware is named for him.

Among the many tributes given by his fellow senators was one from U.S.

Elections

Images for kids

• Hall of Governors Portrait Gallery; Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover.