William Scranton

William Scranton
Official portrait, 1962
William Scranton
Born	William Warren Scranton 19 7, 1917
Birthplace	Madison, Connecticut, U.S.
Died	Template:Death date and age Montecito, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, diplomat, lawyer
Known for	38th Governor of Pennsylvania; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Education	Yale University (BA, LLB)
Children	4, including William W. Scranton III

William Warren Scranton (July 19, 1917 – July 28, 2013) was an American politician, diplomat, and lawyer who served as the 38th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1963 to 1967 and as the 13th United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 1976 to 1977. A scion of the prominent Scranton family of northeastern Pennsylvania, he rose through Republican politics with a reputation as a moderate voice during an era of increasing ideological division within the party. Scranton served one term in the United States House of Representatives before winning the governorship, where he oversaw significant reforms to Pennsylvania's education system, including the establishment of the state's community college network. In 1964, he mounted a late challenge for the Republican presidential nomination against Barry Goldwater, emerging as the standard-bearer of the party's moderate-to-liberal wing, though he ultimately fell short. After leaving the governor's office, Scranton continued to serve in public life, chairing the President's Commission on Campus Unrest in 1970 and representing the United States at the United Nations during the final year of the Ford administration. He died on July 28, 2013, nine days after his 96th birthday, at his home in Montecito, California.

Early Life

William Warren Scranton was born on July 19, 1917, in Madison, Connecticut. He was a member of the Scranton family, one of the most prominent families in northeastern Pennsylvania. The family's influence in the region was so considerable that the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, bears the family name, reflecting their historical role in the development of the area's iron and coal industries during the 19th century.

Scranton grew up in an environment of privilege and public service. The family's deep roots in Pennsylvania politics and industry provided him with both social standing and an expectation of civic engagement that would shape his career. Despite being born in Connecticut, Scranton's identity was firmly rooted in the Scranton, Pennsylvania, area where his family had long been established.

During World War II, Scranton served in the United States Army Air Forces from 1941 to 1945, attaining the rank of Captain. His military service during the war was a formative experience that, like many men of his generation, preceded his entry into professional and political life.

Education

Scranton attended Yale University, where he earned both his bachelor's degree and his law degree from Yale Law School. His education at Yale placed him among the northeastern establishment elite that would characterize the moderate wing of the Republican Party in the mid-20th century. After completing his legal education and military service, Scranton returned to Pennsylvania to practice law, establishing himself professionally in the Scranton area before turning to politics.

Career

United States House of Representatives

Scranton entered electoral politics in 1960, when he won election to the United States House of Representatives, representing a congressional district in northeastern Pennsylvania. He succeeded Stanley Prokop and took office on January 3, 1961. During his single term in Congress, Scranton gained a reputation as an outspoken moderate Republican, distinguishing himself from the more conservative elements of the party. His work in the House brought him to the attention of party leaders who saw in him a potential candidate for higher office in Pennsylvania.

Scranton's time in Congress was relatively brief—he served only one term before deciding to pursue the governorship—but it established him as a rising figure in both Pennsylvania and national Republican politics. His moderate stance on domestic issues and his articulate public persona made him a figure of interest to those within the party who favored a centrist approach. He was succeeded in his congressional seat by Joe McDade.

Governor of Pennsylvania

In 1962, Scranton won the Republican nomination for Governor of Pennsylvania and went on to defeat Democrat Richardson Dilworth in the general election. He was inaugurated as the 38th Governor of Pennsylvania on January 15, 1963, with Raymond P. Shafer serving as his lieutenant governor.

Scranton's tenure as governor was marked by significant reforms, particularly in the area of education. One of his most consequential achievements was the creation of Pennsylvania's community college system, which expanded access to higher education across the state. This reform addressed the growing demand for post-secondary education during a period of rapid social and economic change in the United States. Scranton also presided over broader reforms to the state's education infrastructure, modernizing Pennsylvania's approach to public education at multiple levels.

As governor, Scranton was known for a style that combined patrician bearing with substantive policy engagement. He was described by contemporaries and later commentators as an elegant figure in Pennsylvania politics, a representative of the moderate Republican tradition that sought to balance fiscal responsibility with social progress.

Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, Scranton was term-limited and could not seek re-election. He left office on January 17, 1967, and was succeeded by his lieutenant governor, Raymond P. Shafer.

1964 Presidential Campaign

Scranton's most prominent national moment came during the 1964 Republican presidential nomination contest. Following the collapse of Nelson Rockefeller's candidacy, Scranton entered the race as the principal challenger to Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona, who represented the party's conservative wing. Scranton became the standard-bearer of the moderate-to-liberal faction of the Republican Party, which opposed Goldwater's positions on civil rights legislation and foreign policy.

Scranton's entry into the race came late, and he faced an uphill battle against Goldwater, who had been building delegate support for months. Despite a spirited campaign, Scranton was unable to overcome Goldwater's organizational advantage. Goldwater secured the nomination at the 1964 Republican National Convention, and Scranton's bid ended in defeat. The 1964 contest was a defining moment in Republican Party history, marking the ascendance of the conservative movement that would eventually reshape the party. Scranton's candidacy, while unsuccessful, represented the last significant stand of the party's moderate establishment wing in a presidential nominating contest of that era.

The experience of the 1964 campaign cemented Scranton's reputation as a figure associated with moderate Republicanism. In subsequent decades, as the party moved further to the right, Scranton's brand of Republicanism became increasingly rare in national politics, though it continued to have adherents in the northeastern United States.

Post-Gubernatorial Public Service

After leaving the governor's office in 1967, Scranton remained active in public affairs and continued to serve in various capacities. In 1970, President Richard Nixon appointed him to chair the President's Commission on Campus Unrest, which was established in response to the widespread student protests and campus violence that had roiled the nation, including the shootings at Kent State University and Jackson State College. The commission, commonly known as the Scranton Commission, investigated the causes of campus unrest and issued recommendations regarding the government's response to student protest movements.

Scranton also served as a member of the transition team for President Gerald Ford following Ford's assumption of the presidency in 1974. His role in the Ford transition reflected his continued standing within the Republican establishment and his reputation for competence and moderation.

United States Ambassador to the United Nations

On March 15, 1976, Scranton assumed the position of United States Ambassador to the United Nations, appointed by President Gerald Ford. He succeeded Daniel Patrick Moynihan in the role and served until January 19, 1977, when the Ford administration ended with the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter. Scranton was succeeded as ambassador by Andrew Young, who was appointed by Carter.

Scranton's tenure at the United Nations, though brief, represented a capstone to his career in public service. The appointment reflected both his foreign policy credentials and his stature as a respected figure in Republican politics. During his time at the UN, Scranton represented American interests during a period of significant Cold War tensions and ongoing debates about the role of the United States in international organizations.

Corporate and Organizational Involvement

Following his departure from government service, Scranton served on the boards of several prominent corporations, maintaining an active presence in the business world. He was also associated with the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations, two organizations that brought together leaders from government, business, and academia to discuss international affairs and public policy. His involvement in these organizations was consistent with his profile as a member of the moderate, internationalist wing of the Republican Party.

Personal Life

William Scranton married Mary Chamberlin Scranton, and the couple had four children, including William W. Scranton III, who also entered public life. Mary Scranton died in 2015 at the age of 97.

The Scranton family maintained residences in Pennsylvania and later in Montecito, California. Scranton's son, William W. Scranton III, served as the 40th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania from 1979 to 1987, continuing the family's tradition of public service in the state.

William Scranton died on July 28, 2013, at his home in Montecito, California, nine days after his 96th birthday. His death was widely noted in Pennsylvania and national media, with obituaries emphasizing his role as a representative of a moderate Republican tradition that had become increasingly rare in American politics.

The Philadelphia Inquirer described him as "an elegant man, and politician" in its coverage of his passing. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and The Times-Tribune of Scranton, Pennsylvania, also published extensive retrospectives on his life and career.

Recognition

Scranton's contributions to Pennsylvania governance and national politics were recognized during and after his lifetime. His creation of the community college system in Pennsylvania was considered one of his most lasting achievements, expanding educational opportunity to thousands of residents across the commonwealth.

The Times-Tribune of Scranton described him as "the reluctant giant" in a retrospective piece, a characterization that captured his reputation as a man who entered political contests—including the 1964 presidential race—with some hesitation but who proved to be a formidable and capable leader once engaged.

Scranton's papers are held at the Yale University Library, reflecting his long association with the institution where he received both his undergraduate and legal education.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission maintains biographical information about Scranton as part of its record of the state's governors, documenting his tenure and accomplishments in office.

An interview with Scranton was published by Pennsylvania Heritage magazine under the title "A Gentleman from Pennsylvania," further reflecting the public perception of his character and political style.

Legacy

William Scranton's career is frequently cited in discussions of the evolution of the Republican Party in the second half of the 20th century. His 1964 presidential campaign against Barry Goldwater has been described by historians and political commentators as a pivotal moment in the party's ideological realignment. Goldwater's victory in that contest signaled the growing power of the conservative movement, while Scranton's defeat marked the beginning of a long decline for the moderate, northeastern establishment wing of the party that he represented.

As governor, Scranton's most enduring policy contribution was the establishment of Pennsylvania's community college system. This initiative significantly expanded access to higher education in the state and created institutions that continued to serve hundreds of thousands of students in the decades following his governorship.

Scranton's chairmanship of the President's Commission on Campus Unrest in 1970 also left a mark on public policy discussions regarding the relationship between government authority and civil liberties during periods of social upheaval. The commission's findings contributed to the national conversation about how to respond to protest movements while respecting constitutional rights.

In the broader context of American political history, Scranton is remembered as a figure who embodied the values of the moderate Republican establishment: internationalism in foreign policy, pragmatism in domestic policy, and a belief in bipartisan governance. As the Republican Party moved further to the right in subsequent decades, figures like Scranton came to represent a political tradition that had largely vanished from the national stage, making his career an important reference point for understanding the transformation of American conservatism.

The city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, continues to bear the family name, serving as a lasting reminder of the family's historical significance to the region. William Scranton's own contributions—in Congress, the governor's mansion, and on the international stage—added a substantial chapter to the family's legacy of public engagement.