Prescott Bush

Prescott Sheldon Bush (May 15, 1895, Columbus, Ohio – October 8, 1972, New York City) was a U.S. Senator from Connecticut and a Wall Street executive banker with Brown Brothers Harriman. His son, George H. W. Bush, and grandson George W. Bush would both later become U.S. presidents. His father was Samuel Prescott Bush and his mother was Flora Sheldon.

Political career

From 1944 to 1956, Bush was a member of the Yale Corporation, the principal governing body of Yale University. From 1947 to 1950 he served as Connecticut Republican finance chairman, and was the Republican candidate for the United States Senate in 1950, losing to Senator William Benton by only 1,000 votes. The following year, Bush was Connecticut chairman of the United Negro College Fund, and was one of the UNCF's earliest supporters.

Related Topics:
William Benton - United Negro College Fund

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In 1952 he was elected to the U.S. Senate (Republican, Connecticut), defeating Abraham Ribicoff for the vacancy caused by the death of James O'Brien McMahon. He served until January 1963, and was a staunch supporter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Related Topics:
1952 - U.S. Senate - Abraham Ribicoff - James O'Brien McMahon - 1963 - Dwight D. Eisenhower

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In a speech on Nathan Hale given June 6, 1955, in New London, Connecticut, Bush shared his reflections on the Cold War. "We must maintain strong defenses, military and spiritual," he said. "It is our conduct, our patriotism and belief in our American way of life, our courage that will win the final battle."

Related Topics:
Nathan Hale - June 6 - 1955

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He maintained homes in Long Island, New York and Greenwich, Connecticut; the family compound at Kennebunkport, Maine; a 10,000 acre (40 km²) plantation in South Carolina; and an island retreat in Florida.

Related Topics:
Long Island - New York - Greenwich, Connecticut - Kennebunkport, Maine - South Carolina - Florida

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Richard Nixon considered Prescott Bush to be his political mentor and consulted him before his famous Checkers speech.

Related Topics:
Richard Nixon - Checkers speech

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