William Hathaway
Encyclopedia
William Dodd Hathaway is an American
Democratic Party politician from Maine
.
He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts
. He served in World War II
in the Army Air Corps, where he was shot down while bombing the Ploesti, Romania
oil fields and was a prisoner of war for over two months. He was awarded the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After WWII he attended Harvard College and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1953. He then moved to Maine and practiced law in Lewiston.
He served in a variety of local and state offices. His legislative career began when he was elected to the U.S. House
as a Democrat
and served in that body from 1965 until 1973. This was a time of resurgence for Democrats
in Maine, at that time a traditionally Republican state. This same period saw the growth of the political careers of Maine politicians Edmund S. Muskie and Kenneth M. Curtis
. After four terms in the House, Hathaway then served as a member of the United States Senate
from 1973 until 1979.
Hathaway was first elected to the House in 1964. He defeated renowned incumbent U.S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith
in 1972, but was defeated for reelection in 1978 by Republican
Congressman William Cohen
.
After his congressional career, Mr. Hathaway remained a resident of the Washington, DC area, practicing law there. He was appointed by President George H. W. Bush to the Federal Maritime Commission in 1990, and served as its chairman from 1993-1996. He retired in 1996 and continues to live in the Washington, D.C. area. Hathaway was married to Mary Lee Bird of Horse Shoe, North Carolina and Akron, Ohio for over 61 years until her death in 2007. Hathaway had two children, Susan and Fred.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Democratic Party politician from Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
.
He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
. He served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in the Army Air Corps, where he was shot down while bombing the Ploesti, Romania
oil fields and was a prisoner of war for over two months. He was awarded the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After WWII he attended Harvard College and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1953. He then moved to Maine and practiced law in Lewiston.
He served in a variety of local and state offices. His legislative career began when he was elected to the U.S. House
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and served in that body from 1965 until 1973. This was a time of resurgence for Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in Maine, at that time a traditionally Republican state. This same period saw the growth of the political careers of Maine politicians Edmund S. Muskie and Kenneth M. Curtis
Kenneth M. Curtis
Kenneth Merwin Curtis is an American lawyer and former politician. He is currently a principal in the law firm of Curtis Thaxter Stevens Broder & Micoleau Limited Liability Company, P.A....
. After four terms in the House, Hathaway then served as a member of the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from 1973 until 1979.
Hathaway was first elected to the House in 1964. He defeated renowned incumbent U.S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith
Margaret Chase Smith
Margaret Chase Smith was a Republican Senator from Maine, and one of the most successful politicians in Maine history. She was the first woman to be elected to both the U.S. House and the Senate, and the first woman from Maine to serve in either. She was also the first woman to have her name...
in 1972, but was defeated for reelection in 1978 by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Congressman William Cohen
William Cohen
William Sebastian Cohen is an author and American politician from the U.S. state of Maine. A Republican, Cohen served as Secretary of Defense under Democratic President Bill Clinton.-Early life and education:...
.
After his congressional career, Mr. Hathaway remained a resident of the Washington, DC area, practicing law there. He was appointed by President George H. W. Bush to the Federal Maritime Commission in 1990, and served as its chairman from 1993-1996. He retired in 1996 and continues to live in the Washington, D.C. area. Hathaway was married to Mary Lee Bird of Horse Shoe, North Carolina and Akron, Ohio for over 61 years until her death in 2007. Hathaway had two children, Susan and Fred.