Edward Brooke | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, c. 1967 | |
| United States Senator from Massachusetts | |
| In office January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Leverett Saltonstall |
| Succeeded by | Paul Tsongas |
| 35th Attorney General of Massachusetts | |
| In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Edward McCormack |
| Succeeded by | Edward T. Martin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 26, 1919 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | January 3, 2015 (aged 95) Coral Gables, Florida, U.S. |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Remigia Ferrari-Scacco
(m. 1947; div. 1979)Anne Fleming
(m. 1979) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Howard University (BA) Boston University (LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1946 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit | 366th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
Edward William Brooke III (October 26, 1919 – January 3, 2015) was an American politician who represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate from 1967 until 1979. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 35th Attorney General of Massachusetts from 1963 until 1967. His election to the U.S. Senate in 1966, marked the first time an African American was popularly elected senator,[1][a] as well as the first time Massachusetts elected an African American to serve in the United States Congress.[3]
Brooke was born in Washington, D.C. to a middle-class black family. He attended Howard University, where he studied social studies and political science. After graduating in 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. By the end of World War II, he had attained the rank of captain, a Bronze Star Medal, and a Distinguished Service Award. His time in the army exposed him to the inequality and racism which existed in the army system, and led to a change in his perception of race. Following his discharge, he attended Boston University School of Law, graduating in 1948. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer and founded his own law firm. He began his involvement in politics in 1950, when he twice ran for a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, both times losing to the same opponent.
Early life and career edit
Early political career edit
U.S. Senate edit
Post-senate career edit
Death and legacy edit
Footnotes edit
- ^ The first African-American senator, Hiram Rhodes Revels, was appointed by the Mississippi state legislature to an unexpired term in 1870. Blanche Bruce was the first African American elected to the Senate, elected by the Mississippi state legislature to a full term in 1874. Prior to the 17th Amendment in 1913, U.S. Senators were elected by state legislatures.[2]
References edit
Citations edit
- ^ "Edward Brooke: A Featured Biography". United States Senate. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Martin, Douglas (January 3, 2015). "Edward W. Brooke III, 95, Senate Pioneer, Is Dead". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Brooke, Edward William, III". U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives. Retrieved July 2, 2022.