Thomas William Ludlow Ashley

Democrat Representative of Ohio's 9th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 11, 1923 (87 years old)

Birthday

June 15, 2010

Death

Served as a U.S. Representative for 26 years, from 1955 to 1981.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, in a family with a small steel manufacturing business.
Lost an older brother in World War II during a training mission.
Attended Yale University, where he was a member of the Skull and Bones society alongside future U.S. President George H. W. Bush.
Served in the United States Army as a corporal in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
Graduated from Ohio State University College of Law and began practicing law after passing the bar.
Worked with Radio Free Europe before running for Congress.
Chaired the Select Committee on Energy (Ad Hoc) and the United States House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Played a role in passing the 1964 Civil Rights Act and supported anti-poverty and housing legislation.
Lost his congressional seat in 1980 to a Republican challenger.
Served on the board of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and on corporate boards, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Married twice, with three children from his second marriage.
Died of melanoma in 2010, survived by his children.
Was the great-great-grandson of James Mitchell Ashley, a U.S. Representative and architect of the Thirteenth Amendment.