William Knowland

William Fife Knowland (June 26, 1908 – February 23, 1974) was an American politician, newspaper publisher, and Republican Party leader. He was a U.S. Senator representing California from 1945 to 1959. He was Senate Majority Leader from August 1953 to January 1955 after the death of Robert A. Taft. In 1958, he made a failed run for Governor of California.

William Knowland
Senate Minority Leader
In office January 3, 1955 – January 3, 1959
Deputy	Leverett Saltonstall Everett Dirksen
Preceded by	Lyndon B. Johnson
Succeeded by	Everett Dirksen
Senate Majority Leader
In office August 4, 1953 – January 3, 1955
Deputy	Leverett Saltonstall
Preceded by	Robert A. Taft
Succeeded by	Lyndon B. Johnson
Leader of the Senate Republican Conference
In office August 4, 1953 – January 3, 1959
Deputy	Leverett Saltonstall Everett Dirksen
Preceded by	Robert A. Taft
Succeeded by	Everett Dirksen
Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee
In office January 3, 1953 – August 4, 1953
Leader	Robert A. Taft
Preceded by	Robert A. Taft
Succeeded by	Homer S. Ferguson
United States Senator from California
In office August 26, 1945 – January 3, 1959
Preceded by	Hiram Johnson
Succeeded by	Clair Engle
Member of the California Senate from the 16th district
In office 1935–1939
Preceded by	Arthur Breed Sr.
Succeeded by	Arthur Breed Jr.
Member of the California State Assembly from the 14th district
In office 1933–1935
Preceded by	Frank Israel
Succeeded by	Charles Wagner
Personal details
Born	William Fife Knowland (1908-06-26)June 26, 1908 Alameda, California, U.S.
Died	February 23, 1974(1974-02-23) (aged 65) Guerneville, California, U.S.
Cause of death	Suicide by gunshot
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Helen Davis Herrick (m. 1926; div. 1972) Ann Dickson (m. 1972)
Children	3, including Joe 2 stepchildren
Relatives	Joseph R. Knowland (Father)
Education	University of California, Berkeley (BA)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1942–1945
Rank	Major
Unit	Forward Echelon Communications Zone Fifteenth United States Army
Battles/wars	World War II Invasion of France Occupation of Germany

On February 23, 1974, Knowland shot himself in the head at his summer home near Guerneville, California at the age of 65. He died owing over $900,000 to banks and impatient mobsters.[1]