Hiram Johnson

Date of Birth: September 2, 1866

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: August 6, 1945

Biography

Hiram Warren Johnson was an American politician who served as the 23rd Governor of California from 1911 to 1917 and as a United States Senator from California from 1917 to 1945. A leading progressive and a founder of the Progressive Party, Johnson was a key figure in the early 20th-century reform movement in the United States. He was born in Sacramento, California, and began his career as a successful lawyer before entering politics. Johnson’s tenure as governor is noted for significant reforms including measures against corruption and the establishment of direct democracy in California. As a senator, he was a strong advocate for isolationism and opposed U.S. involvement in both World Wars. He was also a running mate of Theodore Roosevelt in the 1912 presidential election under the Progressive Party banner.

5 Interesting Facts about Hiram Johnson

1. Hiram Johnson was a key figure in the Progressive movement, which aimed to eliminate corruption in government.

2. He was instrumental in the establishment of the initiative, referendum, and recall processes in California, giving more power to the voters.

3. Johnson ran as Theodore Roosevelt’s vice-presidential candidate on the Progressive Party ticket in the 1912 election.

4. He was a staunch isolationist and opposed the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I.

5. Johnson was re-elected to the U.S. Senate four times, serving until his death in 1945.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hiram Johnson

1. “The first casualty when war comes is truth.”

2. “I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is character!”

3. “We have become a great nation, forced to take our place with the other great nations of the world, but we have not as yet rounded out our duties to the other nations.”

4. “Politics is the art of compromise, but history tells us that those who compromise too much end up achieving nothing.”

5. “True liberty can only be achieved when power is in the hands of the people.”