Collection

Eugene McCarthy: A Profile

Eugene Joseph McCarthy was an American Democrat politician and poet, who represented Minnesota in the United States Senate and Minnesota's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.

Born March 29th, 1916 in Watkins, Minnesota, McCarthy served as a code breaker for the United States Department of War during World War II. After the war, he was elected as U.S. Congressman from 1949 to 1959. McCarthy then was elected to the U.S. Senate from 1959 to 1971. McCarthy sought the presidency five times (most notably in 1968 with anti-Vietnam War platform), but never won.

As well as his vocal anti-war stance, McCarthy was well known for publishing numerous poetry books in his lifetime.

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58 Collection Items


  • The McCarthy Tapes: The 1968 political campaign

    “The McCarthy Tapes” takes the listener back to the 1968 campaign through audio recordings of the Eugene McCarthy archive, which documents a turbulent time in America's history. McCarthy’s political legacy will forever be defined by 1968, when McCarthy turned his opposition to the Vietnam War into a crusade for the presidency.

    Dec. 8, 200654 min
  • Late U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy remembered in Collegeville memorial service

    There was a memorial held in Collegeville for the late Senator Eugene McCarthy. McCarthy, who died in December, graduated from St. John's University in 1935 and taught there in the 1940s, before moving on to a career in politics.

    Jan. 24, 20064 min
  • Walter Mondale speaking at Eugene McCarthy memorial service

    Family and friends of the late Senator Eugene McCarthy gathered at St. John's University in Collegeville for a memorial yesterday. This is an excerpt of Walter Mondale speaking at memorial service.

    Jan. 24, 20061 min
  • Louise Klas - Eugene McCarthy remembered

    One of Minnesota's most famous sons slipped away Saturday morning. Eugene McCarthy, the Minnesota senator whose 1968 presidential campaign energized the anti-Vietnam War movement, is no longer with us, but his friends and admirers will never forget him.

    Dec. 12, 200554 min
  • Eugene McCarthy in his own words

    Former presidential candidate and Minnesota Sen. Eugene McCarthy, who died over the weekend, appeared on Midday many times over the years. He reflected on politics, read poetry and talked baseball. A tour of the Midday archive showcases McCarthy's brilliance, wit and wisdom.

    Dec. 12, 200554 min
  • George McGovern on Eugene McCarthy's impact

    Politicians of both parties are remembering former Democratic U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy for his activism and public service. McCarthy died Saturday in Washington, D.C. He was 89. McCarthy served two terms in the U.S. Senate, and before that five terms in the House of Representatives. But his political zenith came in 1968, when he challenged President Lyndon Johnson for the Democratic party nomination. McCarthy didn't win, but his opposition to the Vietnam War turned into a crusade that led to Johnson's withdrawl from the race. Former South Dakota Senator George McGovern was a friend of McCarthy and another opponent of the war.

    Dec. 12, 20051 min
  • Daniel Tobin discusses Eugene McCarthy's poetry

    MPR’s Tom Crann interviews Emerson College literature professor Daniel Tobin about Eugene McCarthy’s poetry.

    Dec. 12, 20053 min
  • Eugene McCarthy's 1968 campaign; a sketch of his early and later years

    A private burial is planned Wednesday in Woodville, Virginia, for former Minnesota Democratic Senator Eugene McCarthy, who died Saturday at age 89. A memorial service is also being planned early next year at St. John's University in Collegeville. McCarthy was one of the state's most distinguished politicians. He served two terms in the U.S. Senate, and before that five terms in the House of Representatives. McCarthy's political zenith came in 1968, when opposition to the Vietnam War turned into a crusade to capture the Democratic presidential nomination. McCarthy didn't win. But his candidacy, and the 1968 campaign, left lasting imprints on American politics.

    Dec. 12, 200518 min
  • A look at McCarthy's 1968 campaign and a sketch of his early and later years

    A private burial is planned Wednesday in Woodville, Virginia, for former Minnesota Democratic Senator Eugene McCarthy, who died Saturday at age 89. A memorial service is also being planned early next year at St. John's University in Collegeville. McCarthy was one of the state's most distinguished politicians. He served two terms in the U.S. Senate, and before that five terms in the House of Representatives. McCarthy's political zenith came in 1968, when opposition to the Vietnam War turned into a crusade to capture the Democratic presidential nomination. McCarthy didn't win. But his candidacy, and the 1968 campaign, left lasting imprints on American politics. MPR’s Tim Pugmire looks back at McCarthy and his political legacy.

    Dec. 12, 2005
  • Eugene McCarthy talks about DFL, politics and current events

    Former Minnesota Democratic U.S. senator and former Presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy in the MPR studios with Gary Eichten to talk about politics and current events. McCarthy discusses the state of the DFL, polarization of the parties, war, his 1968 campaign, and also answers listener questions.

    Nov. 13, 200354 min