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John Davis Lodge records

 Collection
Identifier: RG005_032

Scope and Content

Gov. Lodge's correspondence and subject files related to state agencies, commissions, legislative bills, and appointments among other topics. Also included are state agency files.

Dates

  • 1951-1955

Language of Materials

The records are in English.

Restrictions on Access

These records are stored at an off-site facility and therefore may not be available on a same-day basis.

See the Rules and Procedures for Researchers Using Archival Records and Secured Collections policy.

Biographical Note

Born: October 20, 1903, Washington, D.C.

College: Harvard, 1925; Harvard Law School, 1929.

Political Party: Republican.

Offices: U.S. Congress, 1947-1951; Governor of Connecticut, 1951-1955; U.S. Ambassador Spain, 1955-1961; Argentina, 1969-1974; Switzerland, 1981-1985.

Died: October 29, 1985, New York City.

The Republican's control of the governor's office in Connecticut ended with the term of John Lodge. He was the first governor to serve a four-year term, but when he left office in 1955 the Republicans would only hold it in four of the next thirty-six years. Lodge came from a long line of political leaders, including his grandfather, Henry Cabot Lodge, and his brother, Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. Lodge received his law degree from Harvard in 1929, but spent several years as a movie actor in Europe where he made fourteen films. In World War II he was a Naval officer. Married to Francesca Braggiotti of Italy in 1929, they had two children.

Lodge entered Connecticut politics in 1947 when he was elected to the U.S. Congress. In 1950 he defeated Governor Bowles in the first election of a Connecticut governor for a four years term. Much of his time in office was impacted by the Korean War (1950-53) as the state received numerous military contracts. Lodge had legislation passed to increase benefits for the unemployed and for injured workers. Bonding was secured to help in the construction of new state facilities.

At the end of his term Lodge sought reelection, but was defeated and left office in January of 1955. He later served as U.S. Ambassador to several countries. He attempted to become a U.S. Senator in 1964, but lost to Thomas Dodd. Lodge died in 1985. His house in Westport still stands and is privately owned. The Connecticut Turnpike (Route 95) is named in his honor.

Extent

58 cubic feet

Abstract

Gov. Lodge's correspondence, subject files, and state agency files.

Arrangement

Series 1. Correspondence.

Series 2. Subject Files.

Series 3. State Agency Files.

Related Material

John Davis Lodge Papers, 1886-1987, Hoover Institution Library and Archives, Stanford University.

John Davis Lodge Papers, 1950 (MS 329), Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library.

Bibliography

Congressional Quarterly's Guide to United States Elections. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly, 1994 [CSL call number GIRS Ref JK1967 .C662 1994].
Glashan, Roy R. American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1975. Stillwater, Minn.: Croixside Press, 1975 [CSL call number JK2447 .G53 1975].
Janick, Herbert F. A Diverse People: Connecticut, 1914 to the Present. Chester, Conn.: Pequot Press, c1975 [CSL call number Hist Ref Conn Doc St22eacs se v. 5].
Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Westport, Conn.: Meckler Books, 1978 [CSL call number GIRS Ref E176 .B573].
Van Dusen, Albert E. Connecticut. New York: Random House, 1961 [CSL call number Hist Ref F94 .V3].
Title
RG 005:032, Office of the Governor: John Davis Lodge (1951-1955)
Subtitle
Inventory of Records
Author
Finding aid prepared by Connecticut State Library staff.
Date
2007
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Connecticut State Library Repository

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