Channing H. Cox

Channing Harris Cox
49th Governor of Massachusetts
In office January 6, 1921 – January 8, 1925
Lieutenant	Alvan T. Fuller
Preceded by	Calvin Coolidge
Succeeded by	Alvan T. Fuller
47th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
In office January 2, 1919 – January 6, 1921
Governor	Calvin Coolidge
Preceded by	Calvin Coolidge
Succeeded by	Alvan T. Fuller
Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office 1915–1918
Preceded by	Grafton D. Cushing
Succeeded by	Joseph E. Warner
Personal details
Born	October 28, 1879 Manchester, New Hampshire
Died	August 20, 1968 (aged 88) West Harwich, Massachusetts
Political party	Republican

Channing Harris Cox (October 28, 1879 – August 20, 1968) was an American Republican politician, lawyer, and businessman from Massachusetts. He served as the 49th Governor of Massachusetts, from 1921 to 1925. He attended Dartmouth College and served as Lieutenant Governor to Calvin Coolidge, continuing his policies after Coolidge declined reelection to serve as Vice President. Cox was noted for advancing progressive labor legislation and adjusting administrative law to Massachusetts' changing economy. He was also known for being the first Massachusetts governor to use radio, when he broadcast live from the Eastern States Exposition on September 19, 1921, at the debut of station WBZ.

Early years

Channing Cox was born in Manchester, New Hampshire to Charles Edson Cox and Evelyn (Randall) Cox. He attended the Manchester public schools and then Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1901. He then attended Harvard Law School, receiving his degree there in 1904.^[1] Cox remained a lifelong supporter of Dartmouth, where a residence hall is named in his honor.

Cox then opened a law practice in Boston, Massachusetts, which he maintained until he was elected governor.^[1]

Political career

Cox entered politics soon after opening his practice, winning his first race for elective office in 1908, for a seat on the Boston Common Council. The following year he won election to the state legislature, where he served nine annual terms, the last four as Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. During these years he became politically associated with Calvin Coolidge, who was then Senate President. Coolidge tapped Cox as his running mate for governor in 1918, and served one term as Lieutenant Governor. Coolidge stepped back to run for Vice President of the United States in 1920, and Cox succeeded him in the governor's chair, serving four years.^[1]

Later years and family

After leaving office, Cox was encouraged to run for the United States Senate, for the seat opened by the death of Henry Cabot Lodge. He refused, and spent the rest of his active years involved in business and philanthropic pursuits. He served on the boards of numerous local corporations, banks, and non-profits. He died in 1968 at his summer home in West Harwich, Massachusetts, and was buried in Boston's Forest Hills Cemetery.^[1]

Cox had married Mary Young of Wellfleet in 1915; they had one child.^[1]

References

1. "Former Governor Channing Cox dies". Boston Globe. August 21, 1968.