Robert Low Bacon

Republican Representative of New York's 1st district

Congresses Served

House Terms

July 23, 1884 (54 years old)

Birthday

September 12, 1938

Death

American lawyer, politician, banker, and military officer.
Served as a congressman from New York from 1923 until his death in 1938.
Co-authored the Davis–Bacon Act of 1931, which regulates wages for employees on federal projects.
Graduated from Harvard University and Harvard Law School.
Worked at the United States Treasury Department before entering banking.
Served in the New York National Guard and the United States Army during World War I, achieving the rank of major and receiving the Distinguished Service Medal.
Active in the Republican National Convention as a delegate in 1920.
Entered Congress as a “wet,” opposing prohibition, and supported its repeal.
Faced significant electoral challenges, notably in 1932 against a wealthy opponent, but ultimately prevailed.
Married Virginia Murray in 1913 and had a brother who held political office in Massachusetts.
Died of a heart attack while returning from a speaking engagement and is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.