Gruening, Ernest, 1887-1974

Ernest Henry Gruening (February 6, 1887 – June 26, 1974) was an American journalist and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, Gruening was the Governor of the Alaska Territory from 1939 until 1953 and a United States Senator from Alaska from 1959 until 1969.

Born in New York City, Gruening attended The Hotchkiss School, and he graduated from Harvard University in 1907 and from Harvard Medical School in 1912. After completing his studies, he forsook medicine, instead pursuing a career in journalism. Initially a reporter for the Boston American in 1912, he went on to become copy desk editor and rewrite man for the Boston Evening Herald and, from 1912 to 1913, an editorial writer. He also worked for the Boston Herald and the Boston Journal at various points. For four years, Gruening was, consecutively, managing editor of the Boston Evening Traveller and the New York Tribune. After serving in World War I, Gruening became the editor of The Nation from 1920 to 1923 and the editor of the New York Post for four months in 1934. During his time in New York, he also worked for the Spanish-language publication La Prensa. Throughout his journalism career, Gruening fought for the cause of labor and for minorities. Eventually, his crusade began to include fighting for rights for territories and possessions of the United States.

Gruening's interests began to sway more toward politics. He was intrigued by the politics surrounding the New Deal and wanted to be part of the action. In 1933, he was appointed to the U.S. delegation to the 7th Inter-American Conference in Montevideo, Chile. In 1934, President Franklin Roosevelt appointed Gruening Director of the Division of Territories and Island Possessions within the Department of the Interior. During his years as director, he also served as administrator of the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration. He eventually made his way to Alaska in 1938, when he served on the Alaska International Highway Commission. By 1939, he was appointed territorial governor of Alaska by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a position in which he served until 1953. While governor, Gruening fought for Alaska statehood along with the protection and utilization of the territory's resources as well as fighting for the equality of the Native people.

In 1955, Gruening was elected to the U.S. Senate from the Territory of Alaska. As Alaska was not a state, he received no senatorial privileges. Gruening eventually became one of Alaska's inaugural pair of senators after Alaska gained statehood in 1959. A prominent opponent of the Vietnam War, he was one of just two senators to vote against the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. In 1968, Mike Gravel defeated Gruening in the Democratic Senate primary. Gruening's attempt to win re-election as an independent was unsuccessful. After leaving office, he continued his active political involvement as president of an investment firm and as a legislative consultant. Gruening died in Washington, D.C. and his cremated ashes were scattered on Mount Ernest Gruening near his Alaska home.