Frank Clement (1920-1969)
Frank Clement was forceful speaker in the style of old-time politicians. He was charismatic and enthralled his audience. People predicted that he would one day be president.
The Dickson native practiced giving speeches as a school boy. At the age of ten, Clement said he told his classmates that he would one day run the state. After graduating from Cumberland Law School, he became a lawyer and began his political career.
In 1952 at the age of 32, Clement ran for governor against Democrat Gordon Browning. In a bitter race, Browning called Clement a “pipsqueak.” Despite the name-calling, Clement won and was re-elected in 1954.
Clement continued to gain support from rural Tennesseans by visiting every county and giving stump speeches. He broadened his appeal by leading the charge for the first constitutional amendments in the state since Reconstruction. One of those amendments included increasing the governor’s term from two to four years.
Governor Clement modernized state government, overseeing the state’s transformation from an agricultural society to an industrial-based economy. He also improved mental health services and revolutionized public education through his free textbook program.
Clement was interested in running for president against President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956. He was asked to give the keynote speech at the Democratic national convention in Chicago. It was a moment Clement was waiting for—the chance to impress the party leaders and country with his oratorical skills.
Clement gave a traditional stump-style speech which was carried on national television. But politics were changing. His style of speaking and mannerisms which worked so well for him in Tennessee looked strange and even ridiculous on television. His national political hopes ended that night.
Clement continued to serve Tennessee afterwards in a third term as governor. He almost succeeded in abolishing the death penalty—an unusual stand for a politician during this time. He was a moderate on civil rights, sending National Guard troops and State police officers to Clinton in 1956 to break up crowds protesting school integration. It was one of his finest moments as governor.He died in a car crash in 1969 after announcing a fourth gubernatorial campaign.
Picture Credits:
- Photograph of Governor Frank Clement with journalist Drue Smith and an unknown man. Tennessee State Museum Collection, 2005.51.37
- Photograph of Frank Clement at his desk during a time when he was governor. Tennessee State Museum Collection 79.193
- Photograph of Governor Frank Clement and family. Tennessee State Museum Collection, 79.84.6
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