Neuberger, Richard L. (Richard Lewis), 1912-1960

Richard Lewis Neuberger (1912-1960) and Maurine Brown Neuberger (1907-2000) were the first couple to serve together in the Oregon Legislature. Richard was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1954 and died shortly before completing his term. After Richard's death, Maurine was elected the first woman U.S. Senator from Oregon, becoming the third woman ever to serve in the Senate.

From the description of Neuberger Family Photographs Collection [graphic], 1893-ca. 1997, (bulk 1950-1966). (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 54859818

Richard Lewis Neuberger (1912-1960) and Maurine Brown Neuberger (1907-2000) were the first couple to serve together in the Oregon Legislature, Maurine in the House of Representatives and Richard in the House and Senate.

From the guide to the John F. Kennedy letter to Richard L. Neuberger, 1961 June 27, (Oregon Historical Society Research Library)

From the guide to the Richard L. Neuberger letter to John F. Kennedy, 1960 February 11, (Oregon Historical Society Research Library)

From the guide to the William O. Douglas letter to Richard L. Neuberger, 1955 March 30, (Oregon Historical Society Research Library)

From the guide to the Richard L. Neuberger letter to Hubert Horatio Humphrey, 1960 February 11, (Oregon Historical Society Research Library)

Richard Neuberger represented Oregon in the U.S. Senate from 1955-1960. He died in office in March 1960. His wife, Maurine, was elected to the Senate in November of 1960 and served until January 1967. Both were University of Oregon graduates and Democrats, and had served on the Oregon Legislative Assembly prior to serving in the U.S. Senate.

From the guide to the Richard L. and Maurine B. Neuberger Papers, 1958-1965, (Oregon State University University Archives)

Richard Lewis Neuberger (1912-1960) and Maurine Brown Neuberger (1907-2000) were the first couple to serve together in the Oregon Legislature, Maurine in the House of Representatives and Richard in the House and Senate.

Richard was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1954 and died shortly before completing his term. After Richard's death, Maurine was elected the first woman U.S. Senator from Oregon, becoming the third woman ever to serve in the Senate.

From the description of John F. Kennedy letter to Richard L. Neuberger [manuscript], 1961 June 27. (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 729871203

Richard Lewis Neuberger (1912-1960) and Maurine Brown Neuberger (1907-2000) were the first couple to serve together in the Oregon Legislature, Maurine in the House of Representatives and Richard in the House and Senate.

Richard was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1954 and died shortly before completing his term. After Richard's death, Maurine was elected the first woman U.S. Senator from Oregon, becoming the third woman ever to serve in the Senate.

From the description of William O. Douglas letter to Richard L. Neuberger [manuscript], 1955 March 30. (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 729875166

Richard Lewis Neuberger (1912-1960) and Maurine Brown Neuberger (1907-2000) were the first couple to serve together in the Oregon Legislature, Maurine in the House of Representatives and Richard in the House and Senate.

Richard was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1954 and died shortly before completing his term. After Richard's death, Maurine was elected the first woman U.S. Senator from Oregon, becoming the third woman ever to serve in the Senate.

From the description of Richard L. Neuberger letter to John F. Kennedy [manuscript], 1960 February 11. (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 729875164

Richard Lewis Neuberger (1912-1960) and Maurine Brown Neuberger (1907-2000) were the first couple to serve together in the Oregon Legislature, Maurine in the House of Representatives and Richard in the House and Senate.

Richard was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1954 and died shortly before completing his term. After Richard's death, Maurine was elected the first woman U.S. Senator from Oregon, becoming the third woman ever to serve in the Senate.

From the description of Richard L. Neuberger letter to Hubert Horatio Humphrey [manuscript], 1960 February 11. (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 729875165

Richard Lewis Neuberger was born in Portland, Oregon on December 26, 1912 to Isaac and Ruth Neuberger. In 1928, he began writing articles for various newspapers and magazines. He attended the University of Oregon in Eugene as an undergraduate and during that time he published his first article in the New York Times . Neuberger attended classes at the University of Oregon Law School in the 1930’s. In time Neuberger became a regular correspondent for the Pacific Northwest. By 1940, Neuberger’s name was well known to the readers of The New Republic, Harper’s Magazine, Collier’s, The Christian Century, Forum, Current History, American Magazine, and Reader’s Digest . In his lifetime, Richard Neuberger wrote a total of six books and over 300 articles for various newspapers and magazines. In 1940, he was elected as representative to the Oregon Legislative Assembly. He resigned in 1942 to fight in World War II, where he earned the rank of captain.

Richard Neuberger married Maurine Brown on December 20, 1945. In 1946 he was asked to run for governor of Oregon. He declined but instead ran for the state senate and was defeated. He continued writing articles until 1948 when he again ran for state senate, and was this time elected. In 1950, Maurine Neuberger was elected to the state House of Representatives. They were the only husband and wife pair in American history to hold political positions at the same time.

In 1954, Richard Neuberger ran for the United States Senate and became the first Democratic senator from Oregon since 1914. He held the position of U.S. Senator until his death in 1960, when his wife was chosen to complete his term.

From the guide to the Richard Neuberger papers, 1930-1960, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)