Spiro Agnew Biography

Spiro Agnew was an American politician who served as the 39th Vice President of the United States, from 1969 to 1973, in the Republican administration of President Richard Nixon. Born in Baltimore to Greek immigrants, Agnew, after getting educated in the local public schools, attended the Johns Hopkins University. Thereafter, he studied law and later graduated from the University of Baltimore Law School; during this time he also served in the U.S. Army during the Second World War. Then, he resumed his legal practice in Baltimore but was recalled for active duty during the Korean War and upon returning, Agnew gravitated into politics. He served as the county executive of Baltimore County and was later elected the Governor of Maryland. In 1969, he became the 39th Vice President of the United States on the Republican ticket with President Richard Nixon, a position he retained for the next four years. Although, he was re-elected for vice presidency in 1972 but was later forced to resign from his second term after being charged with bribery, conspiracy and tax fraud. Rather than face trial, Agnew entered a plea of no contest to charges of evading income tax, and was sentenced to three years’ probation. After leaving office, Agnew worked as an international trade executive and also published a memoir.