U.S. Senator, South Carolina Governor. Well known for his segregationist views for the better first half of his life, he retired on January 5, 2003, after an unprecedented 48 years (eight terms) in office. His total political career spanned seven decades in all. He was a 1923 graduate of Clemson College and served as the local school superintendent before becoming his state's Senator in 1932 and the 103rd Governor of South Carolina in 1946. His governorship lasted from 1947 until 1951. Thurmond also served in the United States Army during World War II (WWII). Staunchly conservative and once pro-segregation, his political views changed in the latter part of his career. In 1964, he switched from a Democratic status to a Republican when Democrats became more supportive of civil rights issues. His views changed, however, when more Southern blacks started voting, and his political agenda changed. He was the first Southern senator to appoint a black aide, supported a black Southern federal judge, and voted for a national day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Strom Thurmond married twice, first to Jean Crouch in 1947, who died of a brain tumor at age 33; they had no children. In 1968, he married Nancy Moore, who was Miss South Carolina 1965; she was 44 years his junior, and they had four children together. Strom Thurmond died of heart failure in 2003 at age 100 in Edgefield, South Carolina, his place of birth.
U.S. Senator, South Carolina Governor. Well known for his segregationist views for the better first half of his life, he retired on January 5, 2003, after an unprecedented 48 years (eight terms) in office. His total political career spanned seven decades in all. He was a 1923 graduate of Clemson College and served as the local school superintendent before becoming his state's Senator in 1932 and the 103rd Governor of South Carolina in 1946. His governorship lasted from 1947 until 1951. Thurmond also served in the United States Army during World War II (WWII). Staunchly conservative and once pro-segregation, his political views changed in the latter part of his career. In 1964, he switched from a Democratic status to a Republican when Democrats became more supportive of civil rights issues. His views changed, however, when more Southern blacks started voting, and his political agenda changed. He was the first Southern senator to appoint a black aide, supported a black Southern federal judge, and voted for a national day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Strom Thurmond married twice, first to Jean Crouch in 1947, who died of a brain tumor at age 33; they had no children. In 1968, he married Nancy Moore, who was Miss South Carolina 1965; she was 44 years his junior, and they had four children together. Strom Thurmond died of heart failure in 2003 at age 100 in Edgefield, South Carolina, his place of birth.
Bio by: M. Palmer
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