Paul F. Markham facts for kids

Paul Francis Markham (born May 22, 1930 – died July 13, 2019) was an American lawyer. He worked as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1966 to 1969. This job meant he was a top lawyer for the U.S. government in that area. He was also a close friend and helper to Senator Edward M. Kennedy during the Chappaquiddick incident. Markham, along with Kennedy's cousin Joseph Gargan, tried to help Mary Jo Kopechne after an accident. He also helped Kennedy write a statement for the police about what happened.

Paul Markham's Early Life and Schooling

Paul Markham was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on May 22, 1930. He went to Georgetown Preparatory School and then to Villanova University. He took a break from college to serve in the Coast Guard. After his service, he went back to Villanova and earned a degree in economics.

Later, he studied law at the Boston University School of Law. In 1958, he passed the exam to become a lawyer in Massachusetts. This meant he was officially allowed to practice law there. Before working for the government, he worked at a law firm called Badger, Parrish. He then joined the Small Business Administration, which is a government agency that helps small businesses.

Serving the Government as a Lawyer

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy chose Paul Markham to be an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. This was an important role helping the main U.S. Attorney.

Becoming a U.S. Attorney

In 1966, the U.S. Attorney at the time, Wendell Arthur Garrity Jr., became a judge. President Lyndon B. Johnson then appointed Markham to take his place as the main United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. He held this important position until 1969. After that, he left government work to join a private law firm in Boston called Moulton, Looney, Mazzone, Falk, & Markham.

The Chappaquiddick Accident and Paul Markham's Role

Paul Markham was on Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts, when an accident happened that led to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne.

Helping After the Accident

According to Senator Edward M. Kennedy's statement, after the accident, he, Markham, and Joseph Gargan went back to the water to try and help Kopechne. Markham said that Kennedy was very upset at that time. The next day, Gargan and Markham met with Kennedy at his hotel. They had a serious talk because Kennedy had not yet reported the accident.

In an interview from 1994, Gargan said that he and Markham strongly urged Kennedy to report the accident to the police. Gargan told a reporter that he insisted on it, and Paul Markham agreed with him. Kennedy said he understood. However, Kennedy did not report the accident to the police until later that morning.

After Mary Jo Kopechne's body was found, Kennedy told Markham what to say, and Markham helped write a statement that was given to the police.

Paul Markham was shown as a character in the 2017 movie Chappaquiddick, played by actor Jim Gaffigan.

Later Years and Passing

Paul Markham passed away on July 13, 2019, when he was 89 years old. He was buried at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose, Massachusetts.