John Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933)

Having served as Vice President under President Warren G. Harding from 1921 to 1923, after his death John Calvin Coolidge became the 30th President of the United States of America.

Coolidge was born in Plymouth, Vermont. After College, Coolidge studied law and opened his own chambers in 1898.

As before his father Coolidge was committed at the municipal level on the Republicans side and was for example from 1910 to 1911 the Mayor of Northampton.

Wife: Grace Anna Goodhue (1879-1957), wedding on october 4, 1905

Children: John Coolidge (1906-2000), Calvin Coolidge, Jr. (1908-1924)

Profession: lawyer

Presidential orientation: Republican

Presidential salary: USD 75,000/year

Results of the presidential election in 1924:

Vice President:  Charles G. Dawes (1925-1929)

Presidency (1923-1929):

After the sudden death of Warren G. Harding and Coolidge assumed the presidency.

Coolidge succeeded to fight against the corruption that was caused under his predecessor. As a consequence of its proximity to the common people, he enjoyed great popularity.

In 1924 Calvin Coolidge was re-elected. In his second mandate Coolidge pressed ahead with among other things the measures of tax reduction. Since he did not do anything against the stock market speculation, but facilitated it even further, he laid unintentionally the foundation for the Great Depression of 1929, which broke out after his term of office and has resulted in the worldwide economic crisis.

Calvin Coolidge declined another candidature in the presidential election in 1928 and lived from this time on retired in Northampton.

John Calvin Coolidge died unexpectedly of a heart attack in Northampton on January 5, 1933.

Points of interest:

During the election campaign 1923 Coolidge took the most modern techniques for his presidential campaign. He made, for example, nationwide radio announcements to collect more votes and eventually won the election in this way.

For many Americans, Coolidge is considered as one of the worst U.S. Presidents. After he had moved into the White House, he let oneself install a rocking chair on the veranda and spent numerous hours in there. In addition he had a great need to sleep: Coolidge slept nine hours at night and two hours in the afternoon. Critics also say he had ignored all the signs of the big stock market crash of October 1929.

Nickname: Silent Cal

"Advertising is the life of trade." (John Calvin Coolidge)