Barry Morris Goldwater

He was a radio operator in the early years of his life and played an active part in helping those in the army communicate with their loved ones back home during the Vietnam War.

He married Margaret Johnson in 1934, with whom he had four children; Joanne, Barry, Michael and Peggy. However, she passed away in 1985.

In 1992, he married Susan Wechsler, who was 32 years younger than him.

Barry Morris Goldwater was born into a wealthy Episcopal household, to Baron M. Goldwater and Hattie Josephine Williams, who were the owners of a large chain of departmental stores around the United States called, ‘Goldwater’s’.

He studied at Staunton Military Academy and then enrolled in the University of Arizona for a year. Following the death of his father in 1930, young Barry took over the family business and promoted innovative, reformist practices that changed the future of the company for the better.

He grew tired and wary of handling the family business and at the onset of World War II he enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces, where he rose rapidly through the ranks, from command pilot to Major General.

He served the army for nearly 37 years and was also instrumental in the creation of the ‘United States Air Force Academy’ and the ‘Arizona Air National Guard’.

After he retired from the Army as Air Force Major General, he became active in local politics in Phoenix, in 1949.

In 1952, he was elected to the US Senate, defeating Ernest McFarland. Six years later, he defeated McFarland again and retired from the US Senate in 1964 to campaign for presidency.

In 1960, he authored the book, ‘The Conscience of a Conservative’, which became a significant publication in the political arena of America.

‘The Conscience of a Conservative’, published in 1960, became an instant hit with the political circles in the US which covers a wide range of topics ranging from Goldwater’s conservative ideologies to civil rights and social welfare programs. The book continues to stir modern-day radical commentary and has also inspired other publications that have drawn on the themes of his book including, ‘The Conscience of a Liberal’ and ‘Conservatives without Conscience’.