Thomas Eagleton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Eagleton
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Official portrait, 1970
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| United States Senator from Missouri |
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| In office December 28, 1968 – January 3, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Edward V. Long |
| Succeeded by | Kit Bond |
| 38th Lieutenant Governor of Missouri | |
| In office January 11, 1965 – December 27, 1968 |
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| Governor | Warren E. Hearnes |
| Preceded by | Hilary A. Bush |
| Succeeded by | William S. Morris |
| 35th Attorney General of Missouri | |
| In office January 9, 1961 – January 11, 1965 |
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| Governor | John M. Dalton |
| Preceded by | John M. Dalton |
| Succeeded by | Norman H. Anderson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas Francis Eagleton
September 4, 1929 St. Louis, Missouri, US |
| Died | March 4, 2007 (aged 77) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Barbara Ann Smith
(m. 1956) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Amherst College (BA) University of Oxford Harvard University (LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1947–1949 |
Thomas Francis Eagleton (September 4, 1929 – March 4, 2007) was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Senator for Missouri from 1968 to 1987. In 1972, he was briefly chosen as the Democratic candidate for Vice President alongside George McGovern.
During his life, Eagleton experienced periods of depression. He received medical care for this, which was not known to the public at the time. When this information became public, it caused difficulties for the McGovern campaign. Eagleton then decided to leave the race for Vice President. Later in his career, he became a professor at Washington University in St. Louis.
Contents
Early Life and Political Beginnings
Thomas Eagleton was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 4, 1929. His father, Mark David Eagleton, was also involved in politics.
Thomas went to St. Louis Country Day School. After school, he served in the U.S. Navy for two years. He then attended Amherst College, graduating in 1950. He continued his education at Harvard Law School, finishing in 1953. After law school, Eagleton worked as a lawyer.
In 1956, Thomas Eagleton married Barbara Ann Smith. They had two children: a son named Terence, born in 1959, and a daughter named Christin, born in 1963.
Eagleton began his political career in St. Louis. In 1956, he was elected as the circuit attorney for the city. He then became the Missouri Attorney General in 1960, at 31 years old. This made him the youngest Attorney General in Missouri's history. In 1964, he was elected the 38th Lieutenant Governor of Missouri. Four years later, in 1968, he won a seat in the United States Senate.
The 1972 Presidential Campaign
Becoming a Vice-Presidential Candidate
In 1972, George McGovern was the Democratic candidate for President. Many well-known Democrats were asked to be his running mate but declined. Senator Gaylord Nelson suggested Thomas Eagleton. McGovern chose Eagleton after a quick background check, which was common practice then. Eagleton did not mention his past medical treatments at the time. He and his wife decided to keep this private from McGovern.
Stepping Down from the Ticket
On July 25, 1972, news reports revealed that Eagleton had received electroshock therapy for depression in the 1960s. At first, McGovern publicly supported Eagleton. However, McGovern then spoke privately with leading psychiatrists, including Eagleton's own doctors. They advised him that Eagleton's depression could return. This could be a risk if Eagleton ever had to become acting president.
On August 1, just 19 days after being nominated, Eagleton withdrew from the campaign. He did so at McGovern's request. After a new search, Sargent Shriver was chosen to replace Eagleton. Shriver had been the U.S. Ambassador to France and the first Director of the Peace Corps.
A poll taken by Time magazine showed that most people (77 percent) felt Eagleton's medical history would not change their vote. However, the media often mentioned his "shock therapy." McGovern worried this would distract from his campaign message. McGovern's handling of the situation led to questions about his judgment. In the main election, the Democratic team only won in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia.
Re-election to the Senate
Despite the 1972 campaign events, Missouri voters re-elected Thomas Eagleton to the Senate in 1974. He won with 60% of the votes against Thomas B. Curtis. Curtis had also been his opponent in the 1968 election. In 1980, Eagleton was re-elected again, though by a smaller margin.
Eagleton chose not to run for a fourth term in 1986. Former Republican Governor Kit Bond took his place in the Senate.
Senate Career and Achievements
In the Senate, Thomas Eagleton worked on many important issues. These included foreign relations, intelligence, defense, education, health care, and the environment. He played a key role in passing important laws like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. He also supported an amendment that stopped the bombing in Cambodia. This action helped to end American involvement in the Vietnam War.
Eagleton was one of only three senators who voted against confirming Gerald Ford as Vice President in 1973. The other two senators were William Hathaway and Gaylord Nelson.
After His Senate Career
In January 1987, Thomas Eagleton returned to Missouri. He worked as a lawyer and a political commentator. He also became a professor of public affairs at Washington University in St. Louis. He taught courses on economics and the Vietnam War.
Eagleton remained involved in public life. In 1996, he gave a speech for George McGovern during a book tour. McGovern spoke kindly about Eagleton and their time together in the 1972 campaign. Eagleton also served on a council for the George and Eleanor McGovern Center.
In 2001, Eagleton joined other Missouri Democrats to oppose the nomination of John Ashcroft for United States Attorney General. Eagleton stated that Ashcroft would have been his last choice for the position.
He continued to teach and work in law. He was a partner in a St. Louis law firm. He also helped bring the Los Angeles Rams football team to St. Louis. Eagleton wrote three books about politics. He also strongly supported Claire McCaskill in her successful Senate campaign in 2006.
Eagleton passed away in St. Louis on March 4, 2007. He died from heart and breathing problems. He donated his body to medical science. Months before he died, he wrote a farewell letter to his family and friends. In it, he asked them to "go forth in love and peace—be kind to dogs—and vote Democratic."
Honors and Awards
Thomas Eagleton received several honors during and after his life.
He threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Game 5 of the 1985 World Series.
The federal courthouse in St. Louis is named after him. It is called the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse. It was dedicated on September 11, 2000.
Eagleton also has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Thomas Eagleton para niños
