William Scranton

William Scranton was an American Republican politician who served as the 38th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1963 to 1967. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district from 1961 to 1963, and later became a key figure in the 1964 Republican National Convention. Scranton's political career was marked by his moderate stance and his involvement in various Nixon administration initiatives, including the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. He was also a close associate of Nelson Rockefeller and Henry Kissinger.

● Early Life and Education

William Scranton was born on July 19, 1917, in Madison, Connecticut, to a family of Yale University graduates. His father, Joseph Scranton, was a Harvard Law School alumnus and a prominent Scranton, Pennsylvania, businessman. Scranton attended Yale University, where he studied English literature and was a member of the Skull and Bones Society, alongside George H.W. Bush and William F. Buckley Jr.. After graduating in 1939, Scranton went on to attend Yale Law School, but his studies were interrupted by World War II. During the war, Scranton served in the United States Army Air Forces and was stationed in India and China, where he worked with Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalist Party.

● Career

Scranton began his career in politics in the 1950s, serving on the Scranton, Pennsylvania, city council and later as the Lackawanna County treasurer. In 1960, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district, which included Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. During his time in Congress, Scranton worked closely with President John F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B. Johnson on various legislative initiatives, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Great Society programs. He was also a strong supporter of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the United Nations.

● Governor of Pennsylvania

In 1962, Scranton was elected as the 38th Governor of Pennsylvania, defeating Democratic candidate Milton Shapp. As governor, Scranton focused on issues such as education reform, infrastructure development, and economic growth. He worked closely with state legislators to pass key legislation, including the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Scranton also played a key role in the 1964 Republican National Convention, where he was a potential candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, alongside Barry Goldwater and Nelson Rockefeller.

● Later Career and Legacy

After leaving office in 1967, Scranton went on to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations under President Gerald Ford from 1976 to 1977. He also worked as a special envoy for President Jimmy Carter and was involved in various diplomatic initiatives, including the Camp David Accords and the Middle East peace process. Scranton was a strong supporter of the State of Israel and worked closely with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar El-Sadat. He received numerous awards for his public service, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

● Personal Life

Scranton was married to Mary Lowe Scranton, and they had four children together. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and served on the board of trustees for Yale University and the University of Scranton. Scranton was also a close friend of Julia Taft and Katharine Graham, and he was involved in various philanthropic initiatives, including the Scranton Foundation and the United Way. Throughout his life, Scranton maintained strong ties to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and he was a longtime supporter of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Category:Governors of Pennsylvania