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Eugene McCarthy: Politician, Peace Advocate, & Poet: Overview

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Eugene McCarthy: The Rise and Fall of Postwar American Liberalism, by Dominic Sandbrook. 
MNHS call number: E840.8.M3 S25 2004

Eugene J. McCarthy Papers.
Eugene J. McCarthy's files as U.S. Congress member from Minnesota's fourth district (1949-1958) and as U.S. senator from Minnesota (1959-1970). 
MNHS call numberDigital Finding Aid

Frankly McCarthy, by Eugene J. McCarthy, edited by Carol E. Rinzler.
MNHS call number: E 840.8 .M3 A48

"I'm Sorry I Was Right: Eugene McCarthy," color video
This video is a documentary portrait of the politician and poet, Eugene McCarthy. 
MNHS call number: Videotape No. 877, videotape No. 878 

Papers Relating to the 1968 Democratic Conventioncollected by Lyle D. Tollefson.
Included are items used to promote the campaign of Senator Eugene J. McCarthy, clippings providing information on the McCarthy family, a list of the Minnesota delegation, copies of platform planks, a telegram from Tollefson to Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey regarding the disorder in Chicago during the convention, and Humphrey's response, a copy of Humphrey's address accepting the nomination as Democratic candidate for president, copies of press releases, brief biographies of prominent Democrats, and other miscellaneous items. 
MNHS call number: See finding aid in the library (P618).

 

Overview

One of the most distinguished politicians in Minnesota history, Eugene McCarthy was born in Watkins, Minnesota, in 1916. After a brief stint as a professor, McCarthy turned to politics and represented Minnesota in the House and the Senate from 1949 to 1971, where he gained a reputation as an intellectual.

In 1967 he announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the presidency as a direct challenge to Lyndon Johnson's Vietnam War policies. His antiwar position won the support of many liberals and his strong showing in the primaries persuaded Johnson to leave the race.  After Robert Kennedy's 1968 assassination, McCarthy lost the nomination to Vice President--and fellow Minnesotan--Hubert H. Humphrey.  

McCarthy unsuccessfully ran for president a total of five times.  Though he never served in the Oval Office, he is remembered for his strong convictions and integrity.

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