Background
Thomas E. Dewey was born on March 24, 1902, at Owosso, Michigan.
Thomas E. Dewey was born on March 24, 1902, at Owosso, Michigan.
In 1923 he received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Michigan.
After briefly studying music and law in Chicago, he entered Columbia University Law School.
In 1931 the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York appointed Dewey his chief assistant. In addition to fundamental honesty and natural courage, Dewey possessed a capacity for careful and deliberate case preparation and an amazing self-control that enabled him to remain cool under pressure. With the resignation of the United States attorney in November 1933, Dewey took that position-at 31 the youngest United States attorney ever.
When President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed a Democrat to the position 5 weeks later, Dewey returned to private law practice. In 1935 he was appointed special prosecutor for the Investigation of Organized Crime in New York. His campaign against narcotics and vice racketeers obtained 72 convictions in 73 prosecutions.
In 1937 he was elected district attorney for New York County. In 1942 Dewey was elected governor of New York. He quickly established a reputation for political moderation and administrative efficiency, enjoying cordial relations with the legislature. Success as governor, added to his reputation in fighting New York racketeers, sent Dewey's political stature soaring.
In 1944 he was the Republican party's presidential nominee. He ran well, despite Roosevelt's record as a war leader and Dewey's lack of experience in international affairs. Reelected governor of New York in 1946, he proceeded to ram a series of liberal laws through the legislature.
As the acknowledged front-runner in his second presidential campaign-against Democrat Harry Truman in 1948-Dewey refused to tax himself, made only a few speeches, avoided controversial issues, and scarcely recognized the opposition. He lost to Truman by a narrow margin.
Dewey was an active, lifelong member of the Episcopal Church.
Thomas Edmund Dewey was a Republican presidential candidate. After his graduation in 1925, he toured England and France. Returning to New York, he entered the state bar, accepted a clerkship in a law office, and became active in the Young Republican Club.
Quotes from others about the person
Dewey alienated former Republican president Herbert Hoover, who confided to a friend "Dewey has no inner reservoir of knowledge on which to draw for his thinking, " elaborating that "A man couldn't wear a mustache like that without having it affect his mind. "
father
George Martin Dewey, Jr.
mother
Annie (Thomas) Dewey
wife
Frances E. Hutt