Democrat Alben Barkley Pin Lighting Bolt Button 3” Vice President Under Truman Circa late 1940’s ~ 1950’s

Alben William Barkley (/ˈbɑːrkli/; November 24, 1877 – April 30, 1956) was an American lawyer and politician from Kentucky who served in both houses of Congress and as the 35th vice president of the United States from 1949 to 1953 under President Harry S. Truman. After 1905, he was elected to local offices and in 1912 U.S. representative. In Congress he was a liberal Democrat, supporting President Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom domestic agenda and foreign policy.

Vice President

In an upset victory, Truman and Barkley were elected over the Republican ticket by over 2 million votes, and Democrats regained majorities in both houses of Congress.[156] 71 years old at the time of his inauguration, he was (and still is) the oldest man ever elected vice president, breaking Charles Curtis' record at 69.[44][157] His grandson, Stephen M. Truitt, suggested the nickname "Veep" as an alternative to "Mr. Vice President".[158] The nickname was used by the press, but Barkley's successor, Richard Nixon, discontinued using it, saying it belonged to Barkley.

Legacy

A dam constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Cumberland River in 1966, and the lake it forms, were named Barkley Dam and Lake Barkley in Barkley's honor.[190] Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah is also named for him.[191] In 1984, the federal government declined to purchase The Angles, his Paducah home, and it was sold at auction.[192] Many personal items owned by Barkley are displayed on the second floor of the historic house Whitehaven in Paducah. In February 2008, Paducah's American Justice School of Law changed owners after failing to secure accreditation from the American Bar Association.[193] It was renamed the Alben W. Barkley School of Law, but remained unaccredited, and closed in December 2008.