Spiro Agnew:
A Vice Presidential Unit

Spiro Agnew was the thirty-ninth vice president of the United States of America. Born November 9, 1918 in Baltimore, Maryland and died September 17, 1996. His presidential term lasted from January 20, 1969 to October 10, 1973 serving under Richard Nixon. Spiro Agnew being born in Baltimore to a Greek immigrant father and native mother, was quite an intelligent political figure with strong relations to the press. Spiro attended John Hopkins University in 1937 studying chemistry. He also attended the army during WWII and was awarded the Bronze Star for his services. After the war, he decided to attend law school at Baltimore School of Law, and passed his bar exam in 1949. Although Spiro was brought up in a democratic household, he switched to a republican point of view early within his political career. In 1960 he decided to run for a judge position for the Circuit Court, however was not elected. In 1962 he ran for Baltimore County executive, winning position and immediately working to end acts of discrimination and inequality within the area. His success had not gone unnoticed, and soon afterwards was elected governor of Maryland, serving only for four years, when he decided to go to the next political level and run for vice president. In 1969, Spiro was sworn in, and was greeted with open arms by many. However, that would soon change, as his outspoken persona started to come to power, he often dealt with many anti-war activists, and often times got in altercations that many consider “un vice presidential like”. This coined him his nick name, the hatchet man, although what seemed to be a close knit relationship between Nixon and Agnew was actually one of struggle. In 1973, stories and rumors had gotten out that Spiro had committed the act of tax evasion, as too much negative publicity started to form, Spiro was forced to resign, being the second vice president to resign out of office. After his political career Spiro returned to writing and various business transactions before passing away September 17, 1996.

Political Party: Republican
President: Richard Nixon
Family: Theodore Spiros and Margaret Akers- Father & Mother, Judy Agnew-Wife

Trivia Questions:

1) What were the various charges Spiro was convicted of?
Bribery, tax fraud, extortion, and conspiracy

2) How much did his various charges cost?
Over $270,000

3) What lower white collar job did Spiro have during law school?
Insurance agent


Of note:

Agnew outlawed forms of discrimination in some public accommodations, and was also deemed some of the first for American law
He wrote a book about a conspiracy regarding Nixon’s plan to assassinate him titled Go Quietly…Or Else
He was an international trade executive with homes after his political career.





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