Special Sub-Topic: Adlai Stevenson Click Here To Play: Adlai Stevenson

Where was Stevenson born?

Los Angeles, CA. Stevenson was born in Los Angeles on January 5, 1900. His family moved shortly after to Bloomington, Illinois where he was raised.

One of Stevenson's relatives served as vice-president of the United States. What relation was this former vice-president to Stevenson?

grandfather. Stevenson's paternal grandfather, Adlai Stevenson I (1835-1914) served as vice-president during Grover Cleveland's second term as United States president, from 1893-1897. He was also the Democratic nominee for vice-president with William Jennings Bryan in 1900, losing to the ticket of William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.

From what university did Stevenson get his law degree?

Northwestern. While Stevenson achieved his BA degree from Princeton in 1922, he got his law degree from Northwestern University in 1926.

What branch of the military did Stevenson serve in during World War II?

none. Stevenson did not serve in the military during World War II. He did serve as the assistant to Navy Secretary Frank Knox from 1941 to 1944.

Who did Stevenson defeat to become governor of Illinois?

Dwight Green. Stevenson defeated Green in a landslide to win the Illinois governorship in 1948. Green was seeking his third term as governor. Stevenson would serve one term as governor of Illinois, from 1949 to 1953. The other gentlemen listed were also Republican governors of Illinois (Stratton 1953-61, Emerson 1929-33 and Small 1921-29).

Where was the 1952 Democratic National Convention held, that eventually nominated Stevenson for the presidency?

Chicago. In fact, as governor of Illinois, Stevenson spoke to the convention on the first night, welcoming the delegates to Chicago.

On what ballot did Stevenson win the 1952 Democratic nomination for president?

3rd. On the first ballot, Stevenson trailed Tennessee senator Estes Kefauver 273 to 340, with Georgia senator Richard Russell third with 268 votes and Averill Harriman of New York fourth with 123 1/2 votes. To win the nomination, 616 votes were required. Harriman threw his support after the second ballot to Stevenson, and Stevenson was able to garner 617 1/2 votes on the third ballot, to win the nomination.

Who was Stevenson's running mate in the 1952 general election against the Republican nominees Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon?

John Sparkman. Sparkman served as United States senator from Alabama from 1946 to 1979.

In the 1952 general election, how many states did Stevenson win that were not part of the old Confederate States of America?

2. Outside of the old Confederacy, Stevenson only won the states of West Virginia and Kentucky for a total of 89 votes, compared to Eisenhower's 442 votes in the electorial college.

Who was Stevenson's running mate when he ran for a second time as the Democratic nominee for president in 1956?

Estes Kefauver. Stevenson did not make his choice for a running mate known to the convention, instead letting the delegates to the convention make the pick. The leading candidates for the nomination ended up being Kefauver and Kennedy. Kennedy lead the balloting early, coming within 39 votes of winning but Kefauver rallied, defeating Kennedy 755 1/2 to 589 for the nomination.

What was the only state that Stevenson won in the 1956 general election that he did not win in 1952?

Missouri. Stevenson fared worse against Eisenhower in 1956 than he did in 1952. Stevenson won only seven states in 1956, losing to Eisenhower in the electoral college 73-457. Stevenson lost Kentucky, West Virginia and Louisiana to Eisenhower in 1956.

Upon his election to the presidency in 1960, to what post did John F. Kennedy appoint Stevenson?

Ambassador to the United Nations. Stevenson felt he should be named Secretary of State in the Kennedy administration, given his senior status in the party. However, Kennedy selected Dean Rusk instead and chose Stevenson to be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

Adlai Stevenson died before John Kennedy.

f. Stevenson died on July 14, 1965 while Kennedy died November 22, 1963.

Where was Stevenson when he died?

London. On July 14, 1965, Stevenson was visiting London on a United Nations mission when he suffered a heart attack on the sidewalk outside the U.S. Embassy. Supreme Court justice Arthur Goldberg took Stevenson's place as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Where is Stevenson buried?

Bloomington, IL. After lying in state in Washington and Springfield, Stevenson was buried in the family plot in Bloomington, Illinois.