John Crepps Wickliffe Beckham

Democrat Senator of Kentucky

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1869 (71 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1940

Death

Served as the 35th Governor of Kentucky and as a United States Senator from Kentucky.
First popularly-elected senator from the state following the Seventeenth Amendment.
Came from a prominent political family with historical ties to Kentucky governance.
Initially elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1894 and served four consecutive terms, including as Speaker.
Became governor under controversial circumstances following the assassination of his running mate, William Goebel.
Focused on non-controversial reforms during his governorship, including education and child labor laws.
Advocated for Prohibition and opposed women’s suffrage, which affected his political support.
Lost a bid for the U.S. Senate in 1908 but later won a seat in 1914 through popular election.
Chaired the Senate Committee on Expenditures in the U.S. Department of Labor and served on the Military Affairs Committee.
Supported the League of Nations and the Eighteenth Amendment (Prohibition) but opposed the Nineteenth Amendment (women’s suffrage).
Attempted to return to political office multiple times after his Senate term but was unsuccessful.
Appointed to the Kentucky Public Service Commission after supporting a fellow Democrat’s gubernatorial campaign.
Died in 1940 and was buried in Frankfort Cemetery, with a county in Oklahoma named in his honor.