U.S. Political Leader, Civic Activist. Born Robert Sargent Shriver Jr., he graduated from Yale University in 1938 and Yale Law School in 1941. An opponent of involvement in World War II, after the United States entered the conflict he served in the United States Navy, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Hired by Joseph Kennedy to manage Chicago's Merchandise Mart, Shriver married Kennedy's daughter Eunice. He worked in the 1960 presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy, and during Kennedy's administration served as the first Director of the Peace Corps. During Lyndon Johnson's administration Shriver was the first Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. In 1968, he was appointed Ambassador to France, serving until 1970. In 1972, Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern selected Thomas Eagleton as his running mate. When Eagleton withdrew, McGovern named Shriver, and the ticket was defeated by incumbents Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew. In 1976, Shriver was briefly a candidate for President, afterwards returning to practicing law. He was active in the Special Olympics, an organization founded by his wife, and maintained his involvement in several philanthropic endeavors. In 1994, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He later suffered from Alzheimer's disease, and his daughter, journalist Maria Shriver and then son-in-law, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger described his condition during their advocacy for increased stem cell research.
U.S. Political Leader, Civic Activist. Born Robert Sargent Shriver Jr., he graduated from Yale University in 1938 and Yale Law School in 1941. An opponent of involvement in World War II, after the United States entered the conflict he served in the United States Navy, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Hired by Joseph Kennedy to manage Chicago's Merchandise Mart, Shriver married Kennedy's daughter Eunice. He worked in the 1960 presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy, and during Kennedy's administration served as the first Director of the Peace Corps. During Lyndon Johnson's administration Shriver was the first Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. In 1968, he was appointed Ambassador to France, serving until 1970. In 1972, Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern selected Thomas Eagleton as his running mate. When Eagleton withdrew, McGovern named Shriver, and the ticket was defeated by incumbents Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew. In 1976, Shriver was briefly a candidate for President, afterwards returning to practicing law. He was active in the Special Olympics, an organization founded by his wife, and maintained his involvement in several philanthropic endeavors. In 1994, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He later suffered from Alzheimer's disease, and his daughter, journalist Maria Shriver and then son-in-law, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger described his condition during their advocacy for increased stem cell research.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
See more Shriver memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
