Home > William F. Knowland

Knowland was born in Alameda, California when his father, Joseph Russell Knowland , was serving his third term as a United States Congressman.

Knowland made speeches for U.S. President Warren G. Harding at the age of 12, married at 19, became a California Assemblyman at 25, entered the United States Senate at 37, and became a grandfather at 41.

He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1929Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 See also 1929 in aviation 1929 in film 1929 in literature 1929 in mu, and served in a number of roles in the CaliforniaCalifornia is a state located in the western United States, bordering the Pacific Ocean. The most populous and third largest state in the U. California is both physically and demographically diverse. The state's official nickname is "The Golden State", wh Republican Party. He was also influential on the national scene, serving as the chairman of the executive committee of the Republican National CommitteeThe Republican National Committee (RNC) of the United States provides national leadership for the United States Republican Party. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and ele from 1940Events January-February January 5 FM radio is demonstrated to the FCC for the first time. January 6 World War II: Mass execution of Poles, committed by Germans in the Poznan, Warthegau. January 12 World War II: Russia bombs cities in Finland. February 2 F to 1942Events January January 1 World War II: The word " United Nations" is first officially used to describe the Allied pact. January 2 World War II: Manila is captured by Japanese forces. January 5 Amy Johnson disappears in flight over River Thames estuary ass.

When World War IIWorld War II was the most extensive and costly armed conflict in the history of the world, involving the great majority of the world's nations, being fought simultaneously in several major theatres, and costing tens of millions of lives. The war was fough broke out, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He began as a Private, but had risen to the rank of Major by 1945. He was serving as part of the occupation forces in Germany, when Hiram Johnson, the U.S. Senator from California died. Earl Warren, the Governor of California at the time, appointed Knowland to replace him. Knowland's wife tried to telephone him with the news, but she couldn't get past the military censors, who said it was not essential government business. Knowland always said he learned of his new job from an article in Stars and Stripes.

He assumed office on August 26, 1945, and was re-elected in 1946 and 1952. He served as the Senate Majority Leader from 1953 to 1955, and then as the Senate Minority Leader from 1955 to 1958.

He floated a candidacy for President in 1956 but withdrew when President Dwight D. Eisenhower decided to run for re-election.

Knowland had a long-running battle with Richard Nixon for influence in Republican Party affairs in California. He was known as the Senator from Formosa for his strong support for Nationalists over the Communists in China.

He declined to run for re-election in the Senate in 1958. Instead, he ran for Governor of California. He won the Republican nomination after a brutal campaign but was upset in the general election by Attorney General Pat Brown, effectively ending Knowland's political career.

He became president and editor of the Oakland Tribune in 1964, after the death of his father. He took an interest in local affairs with this job. In 1974, he offered a $100,000 reward for the conviction of those responsible for the murder of Marcus A. Foster . The Symbionese Liberation Army claimed responsibility.

He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, an apparent suicide, at his summer home near Guerneville, California.

He was married to Helen Davis Herrick in 1925, whom he had met in the sixth grade. They divorced in 1972. He was briefly married to Ann Dixon that year, but divorced her soon after.