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Paul A

Paul Andrew Dever (15 January 1903-11 April 1958) was the Democratic Governor of Massachusetts from 6 January 1949 to 8 January 1953, succeeding Robert F. Bradford and preceding Christian Herter.

Biography[]

Paul Andrew Dever was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1903, the son of Irish immigrants. Dever practiced law before serving in the State House from 1929 to 1935, as Attorney General of Massachusetts from 1935 to 1941, as a US Navy lieutenant commander in the Atlantic during World War II, and as Governor from 1949 to 1953. As Governor, he supported pro-labor and pro-veteran legislation while also supporting loyalty oaths for teachers amid the Second Red Scare and supporting the development of transportation infrastructure. He also built a strong political machine, and he died a bachelor in 1958.

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