Sheridan Downey

Sheridan Downey

Sheridan Downey (born March 11, 1884 in Laramie , Wyoming , † October 25, 1961 in San Francisco , California ) was an American politician who represented the state of California in the US Senate .

Life

Downey, son of Stephen Wheeler Downey , a member of Congress from the Wyoming Territory , was a student at the University of Wyoming . He later moved to the University of Michigan , where he graduated in law in 1907 . After practicing law in his hometown of Laramie for almost six years, Downey moved to Sacramento , California, in 1913 , where he worked as a lawyer for the next two decades. He married and had five children with his wife, Helen.

politics

Downey was a member of the Democratic Party and ran in 1934 at the side of Upton Sinclair for the office of lieutenant governor of California; but without the necessary success. It was not until four years later, in 1938, that he was elected to the office of US Senator with 54% of all votes . Downey resigned from office on November 30, 1950 due to his health. His successor was the future US President Richard Nixon .

Late life

Downey practiced as a lawyer in Washington, DC in the 1950s but soon settled in San Francisco. He died here in 1961 at the age of 77. In his will, he directed that his remains should be donated to the University of California for medical research.

Web links

• Sheridan Downey in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)