ABOUT EDMUND MUSKIE
Affiliated with the Democratic Party, this Maine-born politician served as Governor of his home state during the 1950s and as United States Secretary of State during one year of the administration of President Jimmy Carter . He also had a two-decade career as a United States Senator and was the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee in 1968.
After studying government and history at Bates College, he earned a law degree from Cornell University. Before beginning his political career, he served during World War II as a lieutenant in the United States Navy.
In late 1971, he was a top candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination; however, his primary campaign was soon eclipsed by that of South Dakota Senator George McGovern .
Born into a Roman Catholic family of Polish descent, he and his five siblings grew up in Rumford, Maine. His nearly eight-decade marriage to Jane Gray Muskie resulted in five children.
During the presidential race of 1968, he was the running mate of Democratic candidate Hubert H. Humphrey .
