Early Life

John Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872, in Plymouth, Vermont. He was the only son of John Calvin Coolidge, Sr., and Victoria Moor Coolidge. His father, a storekeeper, taught him the virtues of honesty and hard work. His mother encouraged in him a love of nature and books.

Coolidge graduated from Amherst College in Massachusetts in 1895. Two years later he began practicing law. In 1905 he married Grace Anna Goodhue, a teacher. They had two sons, John and Calvin.

Political Career

Coolidge entered politics as a city councilman in Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1898. In 1909 he was elected mayor of Northampton. He served in the Massachusetts state government as senator from 1911 to 1915 and as lieutenant governor from 1915 to 1918.

Coolidge was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1918. The next year he became known nationally for the firm stand he took during a strike by the Boston police. When riots broke out, Coolidge sent the state guard to restore order. Afterward he refused to give back the jobs of the fired police officers, saying: “There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time.”

This statement helped catapult Coolidge into national politics. In 1920 he was chosen as the vice-presidential running mate for Warren G. Harding of the Republican Party. They won with the greatest popular-vote margin in presidential elections up to that time.

Presidency

When Harding died unexpectedly in 1923, Coolidge became president. He inherited many scandals from the Harding Administration. Coolidge quickly prosecuted those involved in the scandals. This restored people's faith in the presidency. In 1924 Coolidge was nominated virtually without opposition as the Republican presidential candidate. He won a landslide victory.

Coolidge's presidency was quiet and uneventful. His conservative policies encouraged the expansion of business and industry. He also led Congress to reduce taxes. The economy grew significantly during his term. The so-called Coolidge prosperity did not reach everyone, however. Farmers suffered from falling prices and a decline in the number of foreign markets who were buying their products.

With its focus on internal economic growth, the Coolidge Administration generally avoided involvement in international affairs. Coolidge opposed U.S. membership in the League of Nations, though he did increase unofficial U.S. involvement in the international organization. The administration's chief triumph in foreign affairs was the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928, which was negotiated by Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg. Signed by 62 nations, the agreement was intended to outlaw war as a tool of international policy.

Later Years

In spite of his popularity, Coolidge decided not to run for reelection in 1928. He retired to Northampton, where he wrote his autobiography and magazine and newspaper articles. He died of a heart attack on January 5, 1933.