Carl Vinson Biography
Carl Vinson was a distinguished member of the U.S. House of Representatives for more than 50 consecutive years. Vinson's early years were spent in the middle Georgia area. He was one of seven children born to Edward S. and Ann Vinson on a farm near Milledgeville in 1883. Vinson earned a law degree from Mercer University in 1902 and began his practice in his hometown.
Vinson's political career also began in Milledgeville, where he served as County Prosecutor and Judge. He would also have a stint as a state legislator. Vinson's national career in the House of Representatives began in November 1914, just days before his thirty-first birthday, a post he would hold until 1964. During his tenure in the House Vinson served under nine Presidents, from Wilson to Johnson.
During his distinguished career, Vinson was responsible for the expansion of the U.S. military, particularly the Navy--he was referred to as the "Father of the Two Ocean Navy." He also helped to ensure the continued existence of the United States Marine Corps, and kept funding for the Department of Defense intact despite legislative efforts to reduce it. He is credited for advocating military preparedness, and his efforts to expand the Air Force, Marines and the Navy pre-dated the attack on Pearl Harbor and the American entrance into World War II. After the end of the war Vinson continued to work for a strong military.
Watch Carl Vinson discuss his life and career. This clip was provided courtesy of the Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia. For more information about that collection please visit them here.
Images below are from Carl Vinson Day on November 17, 1964. This event celebrated the career of Carl Vinson and his contributions to the citizens of Georgia and the nation.
