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Alben Barkley
AlbenBarkley
Historical Figure
Nationality: United States
Year of Birth: 1877
Year of Death: 1956
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Religion: Presbyterian (converted from Methodism)
Occupation: Author of Non-Fiction, Broadcaster, Lawyer
Parents: John Barkley, Electa Smith
Spouse: Dorothy Brower ( 1947),
Jane Hadley
Children: David, Marion, Laura
Political Party: Democratic Party
Political Office(s): United States Representative from Kentucky
United States Senator from Kentucky
Vice President of the United States
Fictional Appearances:
The Hot War
POD: November, 1950
Appearance(s): Fallout
Type of Appearance: Contemporary references
Date of Death: 1952
Cause of Death: Killed in an atomic bombing
Political Office(s): Vice President of the United States

Alben William Barkley (born Willie Alben Barkley, November 24, 1877 – April 30, 1956) was a lawyer and politician from Kentucky. Barkley served 14 years as a U.S. Representative, 23 years as a U.S. Senator, and from 1949-1953 as the 35th Vice President of the United States under President Harry Truman. When Truman announced that he would not seek re-election in 1952, Barkley began organizing a presidential campaign, but labor leaders refused to endorse his candidacy because of his advanced age (74), and he withdrew from the race.

Barkley set a few records in the vice presidential office, including being the first to pass his 70th birthday before his election, the first to marry while in office, and the first to be referred to as "veep."

Alben Barkley in The Hot War[]

Alben Barkley (1877-1952) was Vice President of the United States during the first years of World War III. When President Harry Truman announced that he would not be running again in 1952, Barkley joined the crowded Democratic race for the nomination. Between Barkley's age and his status as the vice president in an administration that took the country into an atomic war, few people believed he would receive the nomination, much less win.[1]

The issue was rendered a moot point when the Soviet Union successfully deployed two atomic bombs against Washington, DC in May 1952. Barkley and most of the Federal government were killed in the blast.[2]

See Also[]

References[]

  1. Fallout, loc. 5547, ebook.
  2. Ibid, pg. 389, HC, loc. 6641, ebook. Barkley isn't specifically mentioned, but is never confirmed to be alive.
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