Charles Curtis

Charles Curtis
31st Vice President of the United States
In office
March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933
PresidentHerbert Hoover
Preceded byCharles G. Dawes
Succeeded byJohn Nance Garner
2nd United States Senate Majority Leader
In office
March 9, 1925 – March 4, 1929
Preceded byHenry Cabot Lodge
Succeeded byJames E. Watson
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
In office
December 4, 1911 – December 12, 1911
Preceded byAugustus O. Bacon
Succeeded byAugustus O. Bacon
United States Senator
from Kansas
In office
January 29, 1907 – March 4, 1913
March 4, 1915 – March 4, 1929
Preceded byAlfred W. Benson
Joseph L. Bristow
Succeeded byWilliam H. Thompson
Henry J. Allen
U.S. Representative
from Kansas
In office
March 4, 1893 – January 28, 1907
Personal details
Born(1860-01-25)January 25, 1860
Topeka, Kansas
DiedFebruary 8, 1936(1936-02-08) (aged 76)
Washington, D.C.
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Annie Elizabeth Baird Curtis (died on June 20, 1924)
ChildrenPermelia Jeannette Curtis,
Henry "Harry" King Curtis,
Leona Virginia Curtis

Charles Curtis (January 25, 1860 – February 8, 1936) was an American politician. He was the 31st vice president of the United States from 1929 to 1933 under President Herbert Hoover. Before becoming vice president, he was a senator and a representative from Kansas.

Curtis is the only Native American vice president in history. Curtis was a member of the Kaw Nation. Charles Curtis was the first vice president of color; the other being Vice President Kamala Harris. Curtis called himself "one-eighth Kaw Indian and a one-hundred percent Republican." In 1900, Kaw Chief Washungah called Curtis "one of our own men."[1]

Curtis grew up in Kansas and spoke the Kaw language. While he was in government, Curtis did some good things for Native Americans but some bad things. In 1898, he sponsored the Curtis Act of 1898, which took power away from tribal leaders.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Christine Hauser (November 10, 2020). "Before Harris, This Vice President Broke a Racial Barrier". New York Times. Retrieved November 12, 2020.