An Uncommon Man: The Life and Times of Senator Claiborne Pell

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Fourteen-year-old Claiborne and his young half-brother, Hugh Koehler, in London in the summer of 1933. Special Collections, University of Rhode Island Library By the age of eight, the young Claiborne Pell was already a world traveler. Special Collections, University of Rhode Island Library The young senator views a painting of him as a boy with his father, Herbert C. Pell Jr., diplomat and one-term Congressman. Dennis P. Riley At Princeton, Pell was active in student political groups and participated in sports, including rugby. He is back row, fifth from the left. The Pell family below: The Pell “bandwagon,” a 1940 truck that a Coast Guard buddy donated to Pell for the 1960 elections. He won both, and never did lose an election. The Providence Journal Musicians serenading Pell were an important feature of the Senate candidate’s primary and general elections in 1960. The Providence Journal In christening the bandwagon, Pell’s wife, Nuala, broke a bottle of champagne. Pell picked up the pieces. The Providence Journal Pell, who had never run for office before 1960, understood the importance of media, and was regularly on the radio and TV. The Providence Journal Nuala and the Pells’ four young children appeared frequently during the 1960 campaigns, both in person and in newspaper advertisements. The Providence Journal Despite his wealth and aristocratic upbringing, Pell presented himself as a man of the people. Blue-collar Rhode Islanders embraced him. The Providence Journal One of the earliest photos of Pell, new senator from Rhode Island. Dennis P. Riley Kennedy, who kept a summer White House in Newport, often invited the Pells aboard his yacht. Special Collections, University of Rhode Island Library President Kennedy backed fellow Democrat Pell, despite considering him one of the least likely candidates to win a major election. The Providence Journal Pell disagreed with President Johnson on Vietnam but was a supporter of his domestic programs. Dennis P. Riley JFK’s youngest brother Ted became one of Pell’s best Senate friends. One of Ted’s last speeches before he died was his eulogy of Pell in January 2009. Dennis P. Riley Pell was no gifted speaker, though he was comfortable with a crowd. Dennis P. Riley Opponents ridiculed Pell’s interest in highspeed passenger rail, but supporters saw him as a visionary. Dennis P. Riley After his tough 1972 victory over the popular John Chafee, Pell grew a mustache. The Providence Journal Pell himself could make light of his sometimes quirky ways. Dennis P. Riley One of the keys to Pell never losing a re-election bid was his connection to his constituents. Dennis P. Riley A Coast Guardsman during World War II, Pell remained an officer in the reserves until mandatory retirement at 60. The Pell family With former Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca and Ted Kennedy in the late 1970s. Dennis P. Riley Pell with Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon, in an undated photo likely taken during Carter’s term in office. Special Collections, University of Rhode Island Library The Pells were fixtures on the Washington social scene for nearly four decades. Dennis P. Riley During his years as member and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Pell met with many world leaders, including Nelson Mandela. Dennis P. Riley Pell presiding over the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in January 1988 during a debate on the INF missile treaty. U.S. Senate Pell did much of his behind-the-scenes work in his beloved Capitol hideaway office. Dennis P. Riley Flanked by her family, Nuala holds the flag that draped Pell’s coffin at his burial ceremony. The Providence Journal/Bob Breidenbach Nuala with her husband near the end of Pell’s life. Behind them is their wedding painting, by Pell’s stepmother Olive Bigelow Pell, noted artist. The Providence Journal/Connie Grosch h i s t o r y m a k i n g ❒ 183 with Senate procedures—he held no such positions of authority. They have come over a period of time, and they benefit Rhode Island.” Twelve years after running as an outsider, Pell...