Bob Bartlett

Here is a comprehensive, SEO-optimized biography of Bob Bartlett (Edward Lewis “Bob” Bartlett) — American politician and champion of Alaska’s statehood.

Bob Bartlett – Life, Career, and Legacy

Explore the life of Bob Bartlett (April 20, 1904 – December 11, 1968), U.S. Senator from Alaska, his role in securing Alaska’s statehood, legislative achievements, personality, and enduring legacy.

Introduction

Edward Lewis “Bob” Bartlett (April 20, 1904 – December 11, 1968) was a U.S. politician, journalist, and statesman who played a central role in Alaska’s transition from territory to statehood. He served as Alaska’s territorial delegate to Congress, then as one of its inaugural U.S. Senators, holding that office until his death.

Bartlett is often called one of the “architects of Alaska statehood” for his persistent advocacy, legislative skill, and reputation for bridging local and national interests.

Early Life and Family

Bartlett was born on April 20, 1904, in Seattle, Washington.

His full name was Edward Lewis Bartlett, but his sister Doris insisted on calling him “Bob,” and the nickname stuck.

Bartlett attended University of Washington from 1922 to 1924, and later transferred to the University of Alaska, graduating in 1925.

Early Career & Rise in Alaska Politics

After college, Bartlett became a reporter for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, working from 1925 to 1933.

He then served as secretary to Delegate Anthony J. Dimond (Alaska’s territorial delegate to Congress) from 1933 to 1934.

In the late 1930s, Bartlett tried his hand at gold mining in Alaska, and in 1937–1939 he chaired the Unemployment Compensation Commission of Alaska.

In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Bartlett Secretary of the Alaska Territory, a role he held until 1944. Alaska War Council (1942–1944).

Bartlett occasionally acted as governor of the territory in interim periods.

Territorial Delegate & Statehood Advocacy

In 1944, Bartlett ran for and won election as the delegate from the Alaska Territory to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served as delegate from January 3, 1945, to January 3, 1959.

As territorial delegate (a nonvoting role in Congress), Bartlett could champion Alaska’s concerns, propose legislation, and lobby for full statehood.

One of his signature efforts was introducing and shepherding the Alaska Statehood Act, using procedural maneuvering and persistent advocacy to win its passage in Congress.

Bartlett’s skills in persuasion, legislative procedure, and patience made him central in overcoming opposition and securing support for statehood.

U.S. Senator from Alaska

When Alaska was admitted as the 49th state on January 3, 1959, Bartlett became one of its first two U.S. Senators (alongside Ernest Gruening).

He drew the seniority by coin flip—he became the senior senator, with Gruening designated the junior.

He served in the Senate from 1959 until his death in 1968.

Bartlett was re-elected in 1960 and 1966, the latter by a landslide (over 75% of vote).

He was known for introducing legislation that addressed everyday barriers, such as disability access. Among his notable contributions is the Architectural Barriers Act, which required federally funded buildings to be accessible to persons with disabilities.

Bartlett also opposed U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and warned about the dangers of radiation—positions that showed he was attuned to global and scientific issues beyond local Alaska interests.

Personality, Style & Influence

Bartlett was regarded as a quiet but effective legislator, adept at building relationships and earning respect across party lines.

He had a reputation for being deeply connected to constituents, caring about practical issues such as infrastructure, transportation access, and removing obstacles in daily life.

He also maintained a voluminous correspondence: Bartlett was a prolific letter-writer, using personal letters to stay in touch with Alaskans across the political spectrum.

Much of his influence came not from rhetoric but from legislative craftsmanship, persistence, and moral consistency.

Death & Succession

In late 1968, Bartlett’s health declined due to heart ailments. He underwent surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

On December 11, 1968, Bartlett died following complications from surgery. He was 64.

According to state law, then-Governor Walter Hickel appointed Ted Stevens (a Republican) as Bartlett’s successor—an appointment that would shape Alaska’s Senate politics for decades.

Bartlett’s dying wishes reportedly included a note to his physician: “Don’t let your scalpel slip, because … the current Governor … will appoint a Republican in my place.”

He was interred at Northern Lights Memorial Park in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Legacy

Bartlett’s legacy is multifaceted:

• He is remembered as one of Alaska’s founding political figures, especially for his leadership in securing statehood.

• His support for infrastructure, access, and disability rights legislation (e.g. the Architectural Barriers Act) reflected a commitment to equity and inclusion.

• Buildings and institutions in Alaska bear his name: for instance, Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, Bartlett High School in Anchorage, and Bartlett Hall at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

• A bronze statue of Bartlett stands in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the U.S. Capitol.

He left behind a model of what a state’s representative could be: someone rooted in local realities but fluent in national institutions.

Selected Quotes & Reflections

While Bartlett is not widely known for a collection of memorable quotes, a few attributed remarks hint at his character:

“Hills are unpleasant, so I like to get them over with as quickly as possible.” “If they take their children to doctors, they believe they are putting their faith in man instead of in God.”

These reflect a pragmatism balanced with moral reflection, which seems consistent with his public approach.

Lessons from Bob Bartlett’s Life

1. Persistence pays
   Bartlett’s decades-long advocacy for statehood shows that meaningful political change often comes through sustained effort.

2. Legislative craftsmanship matters
   His success was rarely about grandstanding; instead, it rested on mastery of procedure, coalition building, and incremental wins.

3. Focus on everyday access
   His interest in infrastructure, disability access, and removing “barriers” shows that governance is also about enabling citizens, not only grand projects.

4. Bridge local and national
   He embodied the dual role of a senator: rooted in his region’s culture yet fluent in national politics.

5. Legacy is built in service
   His name lives in hospitals, schools, statues, and institutional memory—not because of ego, but because he served long enough to be woven into Alaska’s civic fabric.

Conclusion

Bob Bartlett was more than a politician; he was a statesman whose life’s work helped transform Alaska’s identity and connection to the nation. He combined tenacity, humility, and legislative acumen to push for statehood, champion infrastructure and access, and represent frontier interests to the capital.

If you’d like, I can produce a shorter version optimized for educational or social media use, or compile a timeline or annotated bibliography of Bartlett’s bills and speeches.

Citation:
This article is based on public sources including Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, , the University of Alaska historical pages, and Alaska’s state archives.