John Davis Lodge records
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.
Restrictions on Use
See the Reproduction and Publications of State Library 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.
Bibliography
American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1975. Stillwater, Minn.: Croixside Press, 1975 [CSL call number JK2447 .G53 1975].
A Diverse People: Connecticut, 1914 to the Present. Chester, Conn.: Pequot Press, c1975 [CSL call number Hist Ref Conn Doc St22eacs se v. 5].
Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Westport, Conn.: Meckler Books, 1978 [CSL call number GIRS Ref E176 .B573]. and
Connecticut. New York: Random House, 1961 [CSL call number Hist Ref F94 .V3].
- Connecticut -- History -- Sources Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Connecticut -- Politics and government -- 1951- -- Sources Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Connecticut. Office of the Governor -- Archives Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Governors -- Connecticut -- Archives Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Lodge, John Davis, 1903-1985 -- Archives Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Records Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- 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