Robert E. Smylie

Robert Eben Smylie (born October 31, 1914 in Marcus , Cherokee County , Iowa , † July 17, 2004 in Boise , Idaho ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Idaho from 1955 to 1967 .

Early years and political advancement

Robert Smylie came to Idaho as a student, where he attended the College of Idaho until 1938 . He then studied law at George Washington University until 1942. During World War II he served in the US Coast Guard. After the war, he returned to Idaho and became a member of the Republican Party . Between 1947 and 1955 he was Attorney General of Idaho.

Governor of Idaho

In 1954 he was elected governor of his state. After two re-elections in 1958 and 1962, he was able to exercise this office for twelve years between January 3, 1955 and January 2, 1967. To date, he is the only Idaho governor to be elected three times in a row for a four-year term. During this period, Idaho raised the minimum wage rate and introduced a five-day week in the public sector. A Ministry of Commerce was also set up at that time. The expansion of the motorways was massively promoted and a number of state nature parks were planned. The education system was promoted with the help of VAT. Robert Smylie was also a member of several governors' associations. In 1966 he sought another election, but failed in his party's primary elections.

After the end of his governorship, Robert Smylie retired from politics and worked as a lawyer. He was also a curator of the College of Idaho. Robert Smylie died in 2004 at the age of 89. He had two children with his wife, Lucille Irwin.

Web links

• Robert Smylie in the National Governors Association (English)
• Robert E. Smylie in the database of Find a Grave (English)