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Higher Office(s) Served: Senator

Military Service: Army

War(s) Served:  World War I

HIRAM BINGHAM, son of a missionary, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on November 19, 1875. He was well educated, with degrees from Yale University, University of California, and Harvard University. Bingham taught political science and history at Harvard, Princeton, and Yale University. He explored South America, and was recognized as the discoverer of the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu, the lost city. He wrote about his adventures, which were published in numerous publications. Bingham also had an extensive career in the military. During World War I, he was an aviator who rose to the rank of colonel at the flying school in Issoudun, France. He also was instrumental in the organizing the U.S. Schools of Military Aeronautics. Bingham entered politics as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, a position he held in 1924, 1928, 1932, and 1936. He also served as a presidential elector in 1926, and was lieutenant governor of Connecticut from 1923 to 1925. Bingham won the 1924 Republican gubernatorial nomination, and was elected Connecticut's 52nd governor. He was sworn into office on January 7, 1925, and resigned the following day to take his seat in the U.S. Senate. He served in the U.S. Senate from 1925 to 1933. Bingham retired from public service after his senate service, but stayed active serving as vice president of the Coleman Oil Company, writing two biographies, and lecturing at naval training schools. Governor Hiram Bingham died in Washington, D.C., on June 6, 1956, and is 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.

Minnesota State University

Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress