Rogers, Will, 1911-1993

Name Entries

Information

person

Name Entries *

Rogers, Will, 1911-1993

Computed Name Heading

Name Components

Surname :

Rogers

Forename :

Will

Date :

1911-1993

eng

Latn

authorizedForm

rda

Rogers, William Vann, 1991-1993

Computed Name Heading

Name Components

Surname :

Rogers

Forename :

William Vann

Date :

1991-1993

eng

Latn

alternativeForm

rda

Rogers, Will, Jr., 1911-1993

Computed Name Heading

Name Components

Surname :

Rogers

Forename :

Will

NameAddition :

Jr.

Date :

1911-1993

eng

Latn

alternativeForm

rda

Genders

Male

Exist Dates

Exist Dates - Date Range

1911-10-20

1911-10-20

Birth

1993-07-09

1993-07-09

Death

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Biographical History

William Vann Rogers, generally known as Will Rogers, Jr. (October 20, 1911 – July 9, 1993), was an American politician, writer, and newspaper publisher. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing California's 16th congressional district from 1943 to 1944.

Born in New York City, where his father, Will Rogers, was performing, he grew up in Los Angeles, graduating from Beverly Hills High School before attending Stanford University and the University of Arizona, earning a B.A. at the former. On completing his studies, Rogers served as publisher of the Beverly Hills Citizen newspaper, a role in which he continued until 1953. He had been commissioned a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, but did not go on active duty. With U.S. entry into World War II, however, he enlisted as a private in June 1942, and was commissioned in the field artillery the following month and assigned to the 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion. While on active duty, Rogers was elected to the House of Representatives from California, and was sworn into office on January 3, 1943. He served in the 78th Congress. He did not complete his term, however, returning to active duty in the Army after resigning from Congress on May 23, 1944.

After his resignation, Rogers was assigned to the 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion and served in the European campaign in George Patton's Third United States Army. Rogers was wounded in action and also received a Bronze Star. He was released from active duty on March 1, 1946. Later in 1946, he was the Democratic nominee for a U.S. Senate seat in California, losing to incumbent Republican William F. Knowland. Rogers was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1948, 1952, and 1956. Other government service included terms as a member of the California State Parks Commission and special assistant to the Commission on Indian Affairs during the Johnson administration. Rogers had a minor careeer as an film and television actor, notably portraying his father.

In his later years, Rogers retired to his ranch at Tubac, Arizona. In poor health after suffering several strokes, having heart problems, and having had hip replacements, Rogers killed himself in 1993.

eng

Latn

External Related CPF

https://viaf.org/viaf/18888968

https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n93017167

https://id.loc.gov/authorities/n93017167

https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q2541984

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Languages Used

eng

Latn

Subjects

Nationalities

Americans

Native Americans

Activities

Occupations

Actors

Army officers

Federal Government Appointee

Newspaper publishers

Representatives, U.S. Congress

State Government Appointee

Writer

Legal Statuses

Places

Stanford

CA, US

AssociatedPlace

Residence

Tubac

AZ, US

AssociatedPlace

Death

Los Angeles

CA, US

AssociatedPlace

Residence

New York City

NY, US

AssociatedPlace

Birth

Tucson

AZ, US

AssociatedPlace

Residence

Convention Declarations

<conventionDeclaration><citation>VIAF</citation></conventionDeclaration>

General Contexts

Structure or Genealogies

Mandates

Identity Constellation Identifier(s)

w6zq4xsr

85712591