John Connally | |
---|---|
61st United States Secretary of the Treasury | |
In office February 11, 1971 – June 12, 1972 |
|
President | Richard Nixon |
Preceded by | David M. Kennedy |
Succeeded by | George P. Shultz |
39th Governor of Texas | |
In office January 15, 1963 – January 21, 1969 |
|
Lieutenant | Preston Smith |
Preceded by | Price Daniel |
Succeeded by | Preston Smith |
55th United States Secretary of the Navy 8th Secretary under the DoD |
|
In office January 25, 1961 – December 20, 1961 |
|
President | John F. Kennedy |
Preceded by | William B. Franke |
Succeeded by | Fred Korth |
Personal details | |
Born |
John Bowden Connally, Jr. February 27, 1917 Floresville, Texas, U.S. |
Died | June 15, 1993 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
(aged 76)
Resting place |
Texas State Cemetery Austin, Texas, U.S. |
Political party |
Democratic (1946–73) Republican (1973–93) |
Spouse(s) | Idanell Brill "Nellie" Connally (m. 1940–93) (his death) |
Relations |
Merrill Connally (brother) Wayne Connally (brother) |
Children | 4 |
Education | Floresville High School |
Alma mater | University of Texas, Austin (BA, JD) |
Religion | Methodist |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Navy |
Rank | Lieutenant commander |
Battles/wars | World War II |
John Bowden Connally, Jr. (February 27, 1917 – June 15, 1993), was an American politician. As a Democrat he served as Secretary of the Navy under President John F. Kennedy, as the 39th Governor of Texas, and as Secretary of the Treasury under President Richard Nixon. While Governor of Texas, he was seriously wounded when President Kennedy was assassinated. As Treasury Secretary, Connally is best remembered for removing the U.S. dollar from the gold standard in 1971, an event known as the Nixon shock.
In 1973 he switched parties to become a Republican, and ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for President in 1980.
Connally was born on February 27, 1917, into a large family in Floresville, the seat of Wilson County southeast of San Antonio. He was one of seven children born to Lela (née Wright) and John Bowden Connally, Sr., a dairy and tenant farmer. His six siblings included four brothers: Golfrey, Merrill, Wayne, and Stanford Connally and two sisters: Carmen and Blanche. Connally attended Floresville High School and, upon graduation, was one of the few graduates who attended college. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was the student body president and a member of the Friar Society. He subsequently graduated from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the bar by examination.