William McCombs
Encyclopedia
William Frank McCombs was a lawyer who served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee
from 1912 through 1916.
McCombs was born on December 26, 1876 in Hamburg, Arkansas
. He graduated from Princeton University
in 1898 and obtained an LL.B. from Harvard University
in 1901. He was associated with the law firm of McCombs & Ryan in New York City
.
McCombs helped Woodrow Wilson
become Governor of New Jersey
and then managed Wilson's successful campaign for the 1912 Democratic presidential nomination. Once nominated, Wilson made him chairman of the DNC and essentially his "campaign manager." Later, McCombs came to oppose Wilson's style and use of power.
In November 1916, he ran for U.S. Senator from New York but was defeated by Republican William M. Calder
.
In poor health, McCombs died on February 22, 1921, leaving behind an incomplete memoir, which was published as Making Woodrow Wilson President.
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
from 1912 through 1916.
McCombs was born on December 26, 1876 in Hamburg, Arkansas
Hamburg, Arkansas
Hamburg is a city in Ashley County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,039 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Ashley County.-Geography:...
. He graduated from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1898 and obtained an LL.B. from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1901. He was associated with the law firm of McCombs & Ryan in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
McCombs helped Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
become Governor of New Jersey
Governor of New Jersey
The Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
and then managed Wilson's successful campaign for the 1912 Democratic presidential nomination. Once nominated, Wilson made him chairman of the DNC and essentially his "campaign manager." Later, McCombs came to oppose Wilson's style and use of power.
In November 1916, he ran for U.S. Senator from New York but was defeated by Republican William M. Calder
William M. Calder
William Musgrave Calder I was an American politician from New York.-Biography:He was born in Brooklyn on March 3, 1869 to Alexander G. Calder. He trained as a carpenter, attended night classes at Cooper Union....
.
In poor health, McCombs died on February 22, 1921, leaving behind an incomplete memoir, which was published as Making Woodrow Wilson President.