Thomas P. Salmon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas P. Salmon
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Salmon in 1975
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| 75th Governor of Vermont | |
| In office January 4, 1973 – January 6, 1977 |
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| Lieutenant | John S. Burgess Brian D. Burns |
| Preceded by | Deane C. Davis |
| Succeeded by | Richard A. Snelling |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Rockingham | |
| In office January 1965 – January 1971 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas Paul Salmon
August 19, 1932 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | January 14, 2025 (aged 92) Brattleboro, Vermont, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
Madge Savaria
(m. 1958; div. 1983)Susan June Bisson
(m. 1984) |
| Children | 4, including Thomas M. Salmon |
| Education | Boston College (BA, JD) New York University (LLM) |
Thomas Paul Salmon (born August 19, 1932 – died January 14, 2025) was an American politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Salmon served as the 75th governor of Vermont from 1973 to 1977. He also worked as a lawyer and later became the president of the University of Vermont.
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Early Life and Education
Thomas Salmon was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in Stow, Massachusetts, and went to Hudson High School. He studied at Boston College, earning his first degree in 1954. He then earned a law degree from Boston College Law School in 1957. He also got an advanced law degree from New York University Law School.
Salmon married Madeleine G. Savaria and they had four children. His son, Thomas M. Salmon, later became the State Auditor of Vermont.
Early Career in Law and Politics
In 1959, Thomas Salmon became the town lawyer for Rockingham, Vermont. He held this job until 1972. From 1963 to 1965, he worked as a judge in Bellows Falls, which is a village in Rockingham.
Salmon was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1965. He served several terms, representing Rockingham. In his last term, he was the leader of the minority party in the House. In 1970, he ran for Vermont Attorney General but did not win.
Serving as Governor of Vermont
In 1972, Thomas Salmon decided to run for governor of Vermont. He joined the race just a few months before the election. To many people's surprise, he won! He served as the 75th Governor of Vermont from 1973 to 1977.
During his time as governor, Salmon was an important leader. He led the New England Governors' Conference for two years. He was also a member of the National Governors Association's Executive Committee. In 1976, he ran for U.S. Senator from Vermont but lost to the person who already held the job, Robert Stafford.
Later Life and Legacy
After his time as governor, Salmon continued to be active. In 1991, he became the temporary president of the University of Vermont. He then served as the university's official president from 1993 to 1998. After leaving the university, he went back to practicing law in Bellows Falls, Vermont. He also chaired the board for Green Mountain Power, an energy company, for many years.
Thomas Salmon was a Catholic and a member of several community groups. He passed away in Brattleboro, Vermont, on January 14, 2025, at the age of 92.
