Claiborne Pell

Date of Birth: November 22, 1918

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: January 1, 2009

Biography

Claiborne de Borda Pell was an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Rhode Island from 1961 to 1997. He is best known for his work in creating the Pell Grant, a federal subsidy program that provides financial aid to college students in the United States. Born into a wealthy and influential family, Pell leveraged his background and education to make significant contributions in politics and public service. Pell was born on November 22, 1918, in New York City. He attended the St. George’s School in Newport, Rhode Island, and later graduated from Princeton University in 1940. He pursued further studies at Columbia University. His career in public service began with his work in the United States Coast Guard during World War II, where he served as a ship’s navigator. After the war, Pell entered the Foreign Service, working in Czechoslovakia and Italy before returning to Rhode Island to enter politics. Elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat in 1960, he became known for his advocacy of education, the arts, and environmental protection. Besides the Pell Grant, his legislative achievements include the establishment of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Pell retired from the Senate in 1997 and spent his later years focusing on writing and public speaking. He passed away on January 1, 2009, in Newport, Rhode Island.

5 Interesting Facts about Claiborne Pell

1. Claiborne Pell was instrumental in the creation of the Pell Grant, which has helped millions of American students afford higher education.

2. Pell served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II and achieved the rank of Lieutenant.

3. He was a strong advocate for the arts and played a key role in founding the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

4. Pell was known for his eccentric behavior, including his habit of wearing mismatched socks.

5. He was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Century Association.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Claiborne Pell

1. “The strength of the United States is not the gold at Fort Knox or the weapons of mass destruction that we have, but the sum total of the education and the character of our people.”

2. “The Pell Grant has opened the doors of opportunity for millions of Americans and has been one of the most successful federal programs ever created.”

3. “The arts are not a luxury. They are an essential part of our heritage and our identity.”

4. “Education is our greatest national resource. It is the foundation upon which our future success as a nation depends.”

5. “Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Claiborne Pell’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, largely attributed to his family’s wealth and his investments.

Children

Claiborne Pell had four children with his wife, Nuala Pell. Their names are Herbert Claiborne Pell III, Christopher Thomas Hartford Pell, Dallas Pell, and Nuala Dallas Pell.