Bowers Claude Gernade, 1878-1958

Claude Gernade Bowers was a journalist, author, politician, and ambassador. He served as the United States Ambassador to Spain during the Spanish Civil War.

Bowers was born and raised in Indiana. An enthusiastic student at Shortridge High School (class of 1898), his family could not afford to send him to university. He began his career as a journalist at the age of 21, writing editorials and working as a reporter. In 1903, he moved to Terra Haute to work at the Terra Haute Star. He ran as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives seat for his district in 1904 and 1906. Although he lost both races, he gained experience and connections.

Bowers married Sybil McCaslin, a fellow alum of Shortridge High School, in 1911. Their daughter Patricia was born four years later.

From 1911 to 1916 he acted as secretary for Indiana Senator John W. Kern, through him meeting leading politicians including President Woodrow Wilson. When Kern was defeated in the 1916 election, Bowers returned to Indiana and journalism as the editor of the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette. In 1923, he moved to New York where he worked as an editorial writer for the New York World from 1923-1931. He wrote popular histories, emphasizing personality and conflict, which were strongly critical of the Federalist, Whig, and nineteenth-century Republican Parties. Starting in his 1925 book Jefferson and Hamilton: The Struggle for Democracy in America, Bowers argued that Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was the founder of the Democratic Party.

While in New York, Bowers became friends with Franklin D. Roosevelt, and other members of the New York Democratic Party. Bowers had continued to be politically active, acting as a speechwriter and advisor for Al Smith's 1928 presidential campaign. Bowers supported Roosevelt's 1932 presidential campaign. Once elected and inaugurated, Roosevelt appointed him the United States Ambassador to Spain in recognition for his efforts. After the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Sybil Bowers moved to France while Claude remained in Spain. Although he initially agreed with the official policy of nonintervention, he changed his mind after Germany and Italy openly violated that policy and called, unsuccessfully, on Washington to help the Republic. He was recalled from Spain after the victory of Franco's Nationalists, but was soon appointed ambassador to Chile. He served in Chile until 1953.

He and Sybil returned to New York in 1953 and lived there until his death in 1958. They are buried together in Terra Haute, Indiana.