Benjamin A. Smith II

Benjamin A. Smith II
source
Name	Benjamin A. Smith II
State	Massachusetts
Jr/sr	United States Senator
Term start	December 27, 1960
Term end	November 6, 1962
Predecessor	John F. Kennedy
Successor	Edward M. Kennedy
Office2	Mayor of Gloucester, Massachusetts
Term start2	1954
Term end2	1955
Birth date	March 26, 1916
Birth place	Gloucester, Massachusetts, U.S.
Death date	September 26, 1991 (aged 75)
Death place	Gloucester, Massachusetts, U.S.
Party	Democratic
Alma mater	Harvard College, Harvard Law School
Spouse	Betty (Elizabeth) Coxe

Benjamin A. Smith II was an American politician and attorney who served as a United States Senator from Massachusetts. A close friend and college roommate of John F. Kennedy, he was appointed to the U.S. Senate following Kennedy's resignation to assume the Presidency of the United States. His brief tenure was marked by loyalty to the Kennedy family and the New Frontier agenda. Smith later resumed his legal career and remained active in Democratic politics in his home state.

Early life and education

He was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, into a prominent local family with interests in the fishing industry. He attended the Groton School before enrolling at Harvard College, where he roomed with and became a lifelong friend of John F. Kennedy. After graduating from Harvard, he earned his law degree from Harvard Law School. His education was interrupted by service in the United States Navy during World War II, where he served as a lieutenant.

Career

Following his military service and legal education, he returned to Gloucester, Massachusetts to practice law. He became involved in local politics and civic affairs, serving on the Gloucester School Committee. In 1954, he was elected Mayor of Gloucester, a position he held for one term. His political career was closely intertwined with that of the Kennedy family, and he was a dedicated supporter of John F. Kennedy's campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and ultimately the Presidency of the United States.

United States Senate

When Senator John F. Kennedy resigned his seat after winning the 1960 United States presidential election, Governor Foster Furcolo appointed Smith to the vacant seat on December 27, 1960. As a senator, he was a reliable vote for the Kennedy administration's New Frontier programs. He served on the Senate Banking and Currency Committee and advocated for the interests of the New England fishing industry. In 1962, he honored a pledge not to seek a full term, clearing the way for Edward M. Kennedy, the president's younger brother, to run for the seat. His service ended on November 6, 1962.

Later career and death

After leaving the U.S. Senate, he returned to his law practice in Boston and Gloucester, Massachusetts. He remained an influential figure in Massachusetts Democratic circles and served on various boards and commissions. He was a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and maintained his close association with the Kennedy family. He died of heart failure on September 26, 1991, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and was interred at Beechbrook Cemetery in West Gloucester.

Personal life

In 1946, he married Betty (Elizabeth) Coxe, and the couple had three children. He was an avid sailor, reflecting his deep roots in the coastal community of Gloucester, Massachusetts. His personal wealth, derived from family holdings, allowed him to financially support various political campaigns, including those of John F. Kennedy. His long-standing friendship with Kennedy was a defining feature of his life, both personally and professionally.

Category:1916 births Category:1991 deaths Category:United States Senators from Massachusetts Category:Harvard University alumni Category:Mayors of places in Massachusetts Category:Massachusetts Democrats