by Madison L. Hardin*
Alben W. Barkley
Alben William Barkley was born in Graves County, Kentucky, on November 24, 1877. He was the 35th Vice President of the United States for Harry S. Truman from 1949 to 1953. In Alben’s early years, he attended and graduated from college. Once completing undergrad, he studied law and was later admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1901. Alben’s success continued into his later years where he was one of the chief architects of the New Deal in 1930 and was a member of Congress for almost 40 years. Barkley won elective office as a county attorney and judge before serving the House of Representatives and the Senate. Even though he is the oldest man to be elected Vice President, Alben went on to pursue the presidential nomination in 1952. Unfortunately, due to his age, he decided to withdraw his candidacy. Alben was 78 when he passed on April 30, 1956, in Lexington, Virginia.
Harry Monroe Caudill
Harry was born in Whitesburg, Kentucky on May 2, 1922. During his lifetime, he was known as a professor, lawyer, and famous author. He is most known for his first book, “Night Comes to the Cumberlands,” which discussed the conditions of Appalachia’s residents. This created nationwide attention that caused President John F. Kennedy to investigate the conditions in Appalachia. In Harry’s early years, he served across the sea in Italy during World War II. After the war, he attended The University of Kentucky’s law school. He later opened his own practice, became the Letcher County Bar Association president, and served in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Harry was also a professor at the University of Kentucky in the History Department. During his lifetime he published famous books, newspaper essays, and magazine articles while presenting speeches and lectures. The University of Kentucky awarded Harry in 1971 with an Honorary Doctorate of Laws. On November 19, 1990, Harry took his life in Whitesburg, Kentucky, because of a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s disease.
*Legal Support Specialist, Strause Law Group PLLC
