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Higher Office(s) Served: Ambassador

Military Service: Army

War(s) Served:  World War I

PAUL VORIES McNUTT, Indiana's thirty-fourth governor, was born in Franklin, Indiana, on July 19, 1891. In 1913, he graduated with honors from Indiana University, and in 1916, he graduated from Harvard Law School. He practiced law for a short time with his father, and then secured an appointment at Indiana University as a professor of law. During World War I, McNutt enlisted in the army, and rose through the ranks to major and lieutenant colonel. After his military service, he resumed his teaching position at Indiana University. On August 1, 1925, he was named dean of the Indiana University Law School, a position he held for eight years. He also served as Indiana Department Commander of the Legion in 1927, and was national commander of the American Legion from 1928 to 1929. McNutt entered politics in 1930, serving as the keynote speaker of the Democratic State Convention. He won the 1932 Democratic gubernatorial nomination and was sworn into the governor's office on January 9, 1933. During his tenure, the gross income tax law was sanctioned, as well as emergency relief laws and legislation that determined the function of banks, insurance companies, and building and loan companies. Also, state governmental agencies were restructured from 169 departments to eight, and financial aid to the elderly was initiated. After McNutt left office on January 11, 1937, he served as high commissioner of the Philippines from 1937 to 1939. He also was the administrator of the Federal Security Administration from 1939 to 1945, was the chairman of the War Manpower Commission from 1942 to 1945, and served as the first U.S. ambassador to the Philippine Republic from 1946 to 1947. Governor Paul V. McNutt died on March 24, 1955, and was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Sources:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 1, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

Indiana Historical Bureau

Acacia

County History