Calvin Coolidge won no fewer than eighteen elections during his career, and only lost one (a bid for re-election to a city office). Americans respected the views of the closemouthed Coolidge, although he seldom said anything very original or profound. He issued few unnecessary public statements, and rarely wasted a word. His reputation for wisdom was based on his dry wit and robust common sense.

Chronology of His Life and Career

July 4, 1872		Born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont.
1895		Graduated from Amherst College.
1897		Admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.
1898		Elected to the Northampton, Massachusetts, City Council.
1900		Elected City Solicitor of Northampton.
1902		Lost bid for re-election to third term as City Solicitor.
October 4, 1905		Married Grace Anna Goodhue.
1906		Elected to Massachusetts House of Representatives.
1909		Elected Mayor of Northampton, Massachusetts.
1911		Elected to Massachusetts Senate.
1915		Elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts.
1918		Elected Governor of Massachusetts.
1920		Elected Vice-President of the United States.
August 3, 1923		Became President of the United States upon the death of Warren G. Harding.
1924		Elected to full term as President.
July 7, 1924		Calvin Coolidge, Jr., died of a blood blister he received during a tennis game on the White House lawn.
January 5, 1933		Died in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Notes and Trivia

Coolidge was named for his father, John Calvin Coolidge, but his family always called him Calvin or Cal; he dropped "John" from his name after college.

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This page was last updated on December 08, 2018.