Humphrey, Hubert H. (1911–1978)

HUBERT H. HUMPHREY was perhaps the most important Democrat of the 20th century who never served as president. Humphrey was born in Wallace, South Dakota, second of four children of Hubert H. Humphrey, Sr., and Christine (Sannes) Humphrey. The elder Humphrey had served a term in the state legislature, and politics was a common topic in the household. Humphrey trained as a pharmacist and worked in the family drug stores in Doland and Huron, South Dakota, before entering the University of Minnesota in 1937. He married Muriel Buck in Huron, on September 3, 1936; to this union were born four children, Nancy, Hubert III (Skip), Douglas, and Robert.

Humphrey's appetite for elective office was whetted while at the University of Minnesota, where he also became a ...