Alan Cranston

Alan Cranston - Former United States Senator, Timeline and Childhood

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Alan Cranston's Personal Details

Alan Cranston was a prominent figure in the politics of the US

InformationDetail
BirthdayJune 19, 1914
Died onDecember 31, 2000
NationalityAmerican
FamousStanford University, Leaders, Political Leaders, Journalists, Former United States Senator
SpousesGeneva McMath, Norma Weintraub
SiblingsEleanor Cranston Cameron
ChildrensKim Christopher, Robin MacGregor
Universities
  • Stanford University
  • California State Polytechnic University
  • Pomona
  • Stanford University
  • National Autonomous University of Mexico
  • Pomona College
Notable Alumnis
  • Stanford University
Birth PlacePalo Alto
Political IdeologyDemocratic
ReligionProtestant
GenderMale
FatherWilliam MacGregor Cranston
MotherCarol
Sun SignGemini
Born inPalo Alto
Famous asFormer United States Senator
Died at Age86

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Alan Cranston's photo

Who is Alan Cranston?

Alan Cranston was an American journalist and a Democratic Senator from California. Hailing from a rich family of real estate developers, he studied journalism at Stanford University. He started his journalism career as a correspondent of International News Service. Before joining politics, he served in the armed forces as a private (a soldier of the lowest military rank). He acted as a part of the Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs and Foreign Relations Committees. He was credited for his service of 24 years in the senate. He was a strong supporter of world government. His book The Killing of The Peace, published in 1945, discusses about the defeat of the League of Nations in the United States Senate. During the later part of 1980s, his name was involved with the savings and loan scandal that marred his reputation. After leaving the Senate in 1993, he operated a nonprofit group, the Global Security Institute, which worked towards abolishing nuclear weapons. He was a member of the Banking Committee and the chairman of the Veterans Committee. He also worked as the Democratic whip for 14 years. He took the initiative to gather support to end the Vietnam War. He was the founder and President of the Global Security Institute.

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Childhood & Early Life

Belonging to an affluent family of real estate developers of Palo Alto, California, Alan Cranston was born to father Carol and mother William MacGregor Cranston. After his graduation from Stanford University, Palo Alto in 1936, he studied at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.

Career

After completing his studies, he joined the International News Service as its foreign correspondent. As part of his job, he went to Europe and North Africa. Though he was much delighted for this job earlier but found it frustrating later.

After returning to the US, he read Hitler’s Mein Kampf which, according to him, excluded information about Hitler’s anti-Semitism and militancy. So, he published an unauthorized and fuller translation of this book.

He also served as the editor and writer of the magazine Common Ground. Later, he worked in the Office of War Information. During this time, he authored The Killing of the Peace.

In 1944, he joined the armed forces as a private. In the next year, he attended the 1945 conference that played active role for Dublin Declaration. In 1947, he took the responsibility of his father’s real estate firm in Palo Alto. In 1948, he became the president of the World Federalist Association.

He played an important role in getting passed the World Federalist California Resolution in 1949. He appealed to the Congress to amend the Constitution so that U.S. participation in a federal world government can be made possible.

During the later part of 1940s, he actively protested against nuclear weapons. In 1952, he co-founded of the California Democratic Council (CDC) and became its chairman also.

In 1958, it was the California Democratic Council that provided necessary support to him to become a State Controller. It also offered him required help during his various elections for the U. S. Senate. He was re-elected for this post of State Controller in 1962.

In 1968, he was elected to the first of his four terms as senator of the United Sates Senate. In 1974, he lost to Republican H.L. ‘Bill’ Richardson, a conservative state senator.

From 1977 to 1991, he served as the Democratic Whip. He was unsuccessful in the Democratic presidential nomination for the 1984 election. He had suffered for his debt of $2 million for his campaign during 1984 election.

In 1991, he was severely criticized by the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics for his ‘improper conduct’ regarding financial contribution of Lincoln Savings to voter registration groups closely associated with the senator.

He presided over the inauguration of Bill Clinton as the President of the United States on January 20, 1993. It was Cranston’s last work as a Senator. In 1996, he served as the chairman of the Gorbachev Foundation USA.

Personal Life & Legacy

Cranston married twice - around 1940, he married Geneva McMath with whom his two sons, Robin and Kim, were born. However, he divorced Geneva and later married Norma Weintraub.

In the early period of 1990s, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. His son Kim claimed that Cranston overcome his illness and died of natural causes. He died at the age of 86.

Trivia

During his college days, he was a part of the nation’s fastest quarter - mile sprint relay team. He is also credited for holding the world record for the 100-yard dash among 55 year old.

He was in the midst of a controversy when he translated Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf into English and was sued for it by Hitler. He added this information proudly in his resume.

During his tenure as Democratic whip, he used to take pride in his ability to count votes before they had been cast. He dedicated his retirement towards abolition of nuclear weapons.

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Alan Cranston biography timelines

  • // 1944 To 1948
    In 1944, he joined the armed forces as a private. In the next year, he attended the 1945 conference that played active role for Dublin Declaration. In 1947, he took the responsibility of his father’s real estate firm in Palo Alto. In 1948, he became the president of the World Federalist Association.
  • // 1949
    He played an important role in getting passed the World Federalist California Resolution in 1949. He appealed to the Congress to amend the Constitution so that U.S. participation in a federal world government can be made possible.
  • // 1952
    During the later part of 1940s, he actively protested against nuclear weapons. In 1952, he co-founded of the California Democratic Council (CDC) and became its chairman also.
  • // 1958
    In 1958, it was the California Democratic Council that provided necessary support to him to become a State Controller. It also offered him required help during his various elections for the U. S. Senate. He was re-elected for this post of State Controller in 1962.
  • // 1968
    In 1968, he was elected to the first of his four terms as senator of the United Sates Senate. In 1974, he lost to Republican H.L. ‘Bill’ Richardson, a conservative state senator.
  • // 1977 To 1991
    From 1977 to 1991, he served as the Democratic Whip. He was unsuccessful in the Democratic presidential nomination for the 1984 election. He had suffered for his debt of $2 million for his campaign during 1984 election.
  • // 1991
    In 1991, he was severely criticized by the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics for his ‘improper conduct’ regarding financial contribution of Lincoln Savings to voter registration groups closely associated with the senator.
  • // 1993
    He presided over the inauguration of Bill Clinton as the President of the United States on January 20, 1993. It was Cranston’s last work as a Senator. In 1996, he served as the chairman of the Gorbachev Foundation USA.

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Alan Cranston's FAQ

  • What is Alan Cranston birthday?

    Alan Cranston was born at 1914-06-19

  • When was Alan Cranston died?

    Alan Cranston was died at 2000-12-31

  • Where was Alan Cranston died?

    Alan Cranston was died in Los Altos

  • Which age was Alan Cranston died?

    Alan Cranston was died at age 86

  • Where is Alan Cranston's birth place?

    Alan Cranston was born in Palo Alto

  • What is Alan Cranston nationalities?

    Alan Cranston's nationalities is American

  • Who is Alan Cranston spouses?

    Alan Cranston's spouses is Geneva McMath, Norma Weintraub

  • Who is Alan Cranston siblings?

    Alan Cranston's siblings is Eleanor Cranston Cameron

  • Who is Alan Cranston childrens?

    Alan Cranston's childrens is Kim Christopher, Robin MacGregor

  • What was Alan Cranston universities?

    Alan Cranston studied at Stanford University, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Stanford University, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Pomona College

  • What was Alan Cranston notable alumnis?

    Alan Cranston's notable alumnis is Stanford University

  • What is Alan Cranston's political ideology?

    Alan Cranston's political ideology is Democratic

  • What is Alan Cranston's religion?

    Alan Cranston's religion is Protestant

  • Who is Alan Cranston's father?

    Alan Cranston's father is William MacGregor Cranston

  • Who is Alan Cranston's mother?

    Alan Cranston's mother is Carol

  • What is Alan Cranston's sun sign?

    Alan Cranston is Gemini

  • How famous is Alan Cranston?

    Alan Cranston is famouse as Former United States Senator