Frederick “Fred” Vinson was one of the most notorious politicians in Kentucky history. Just like many of his colleagues and fellow Kentucky politicians, Fred’s experience as an attorney helped launch him into a decorated career in politics. Serving in a plethora of diverse positions eventually thrusted Fred all the way into his role as a Supreme Court Justice. Today, Fred Vinson is widely remembered as one of a select few Americans that have served in all 3 branches of the U.S. Government.
Vinson was born in Louisa, Kentucky on January 22nd, 1890. Growing up, Vinson’s dad worked as the Lawrence County Jailer. Fred often helped his father with various tasks. Years later, prisoners pointed out the kindness Fred has shown them when he was a kid. In 1909, Vinson graduated from the Kentucky Normal School. After graduation, he enrolled at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Vinson went on to graduate from Centre at the top of his class and receive his Bachelor of Laws.
After completing his formal education, Fred returned to Louisa, Kentucky to practice law. His early success in the legal profession did not go unnoticed, as he was elected to serve as the City Attorney of his hometown Louisa, Kentucky. Vinson then put his legal career on hold and joined the Army during World War I. His sacrifices for the United States were rewarded. When he returned home from war, he was elected to serve as the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 32nd Judicial District of Kentucky.
In 1924, Vinson put his legal career on pause to begin a career in politics. Fred ran for a seat in Congress after William Fields relinquished his position to serve as the Governor of Kentucky. Fred found immediate success, winning three straight elections before losing in 1928. He moved his haw practice from Louisa to Ashland, Kentucky after the 1928 election. While living in Ashland, Vinson formed valuable connections that aided his political career. In 1930, Fred Vinson was reelected. He continued to serve in Congress until 1937. During Vinson’s time in Congress, he became close friends with Harry Truman. President Truman was so fond of Vinson, he urged Vinson to seek the Democratic Nomination for the 1952 presidential election. Vinson turned down the offer from his good friend.
In 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt nominated Vinson for a Judgeship on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Vinson served in this position until he resigned in 1943 to take on a role as the Director of the Office of Economic Stabilization. In 1945, Truman appointed Vinson as the United States Secretary of the Treasury. Vinson worked hard to limit the volatility of the American economy as World War II concluded. He successfully pushed for a tax cut in the Revenue Act of 1945. As the war ended, Vinson’s role expanded outside of the United States when he negotiated the British Loan of 1946.
In 1946, Vinson resigned from his Treasury position. His resignation came as close friend and President Harry Truman nominated him for Chief Justice of the United States. Vinson’s experience serving in all three branches of the US Government was one of his strongest qualifications. He is often credited with bringing together a Supreme Court that was deeply fractured at the time of his nomination. While serving as Chief Justice, Vinson wrote a total of 77 opinions and 13 dissents. Issues relating to communism, labor unions, and racial segregation were common throughout his tenure. Vinson’s role as Chief Justice included swearing in Presidents Harry Truman and President Dwight Eisenhower.
In 1953, Vinson passed away after serving as Chief Justice for seven years. He was buried at Pinehill Cemetery in his hometown Louisa, Kentucky. Vinson’s legacy lives on in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Many of his personal and judicial documents are archived at the University of Kentucky library. A portrait of Fred also hangs prominently at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity at Centre College. The portrait is referred to as “Dead Fred” and is often taken to various Centre College events. Vinson’s legacy is preserved through the National Register of Historic Places too. His birthplaces were officially listed on the National Register in 1974.
