Stuart Symington

William Stuart Symington, Jr. (June 26, 1901 – December 14, 1988) was an American businessman and politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Symington in 1947

Symington was born in Amherst, Massachusetts. He studied at Yale University.

Symington was the first United States Secretary of the Air Force. He served as secretary from 1947 to 1950. Then he served as the United States senator of Missouri. He served as senator from 1953 to 1976.

Symington ran for President of the United States in 1960. He lost the primary to John F. Kennedy.

Symington was married to Evelyn Wadsworth. Their marriage would last until her death in 1972. Symington resigned in 1976, four days before his term would end. They had one son, James W. Symington, former member of the United States House of Representatives. His cousin, Fife Symington, served as Governor of Arizona from 1991 through 1997.

Symington died in New Canaan, Connecticut from angina pectoris, aged 87.^[1]