US Senator. Born Edward William Brooke III, he graduated from Howard University in 1941 and served in the Army during World War II, seeing combat in Italy as an officer in the segregated 366th Infantry Regiment, and earning a Bronze Star Medal and other awards. He graduated from Boston University Law School in 1950 and practiced law in Boston. In 1950 he ran for the Massachusetts House of Representatives, entering the primaries of both parties. He won the Republican nomination, but lost the general election, and remained a Republican. He ran unsuccessfully for the Massachusetts House a second time and ran unsuccessfully for Secretary of the Commonwealth, but his good showings and favorable publicity led to appointment as Boston's Finance Commission Chairman (1961-1962). In 1962 he won election as Massachusetts Attorney General (1963-1967). In 1966 ran successfully for US Senator. He served two terms, January 1967 to January 1979, and was the first African-American Senator elected by popular vote. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1978, after which he practiced law in Washington and authored an autobiography, 2006's “Bridging the Divide”. In retirement he lived in Florida, and he was a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
US Senator. Born Edward William Brooke III, he graduated from Howard University in 1941 and served in the Army during World War II, seeing combat in Italy as an officer in the segregated 366th Infantry Regiment, and earning a Bronze Star Medal and other awards. He graduated from Boston University Law School in 1950 and practiced law in Boston. In 1950 he ran for the Massachusetts House of Representatives, entering the primaries of both parties. He won the Republican nomination, but lost the general election, and remained a Republican. He ran unsuccessfully for the Massachusetts House a second time and ran unsuccessfully for Secretary of the Commonwealth, but his good showings and favorable publicity led to appointment as Boston's Finance Commission Chairman (1961-1962). In 1962 he won election as Massachusetts Attorney General (1963-1967). In 1966 ran successfully for US Senator. He served two terms, January 1967 to January 1979, and was the first African-American Senator elected by popular vote. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1978, after which he practiced law in Washington and authored an autobiography, 2006's “Bridging the Divide”. In retirement he lived in Florida, and he was a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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