Edmund G. "Pat" Brown

- Short Biography
- Administration
- Personal information
- This Time in California

Biography^*
Born in San Francisco in 1905, Edmund Brown was nick-named "Pat" when as a boy selling Liberty Bonds, he ended his speeches by shouting Patrick Henry's line, "Give me liberty or give me death!" Later, Brown studied law, graduating first in his class. He eventually joined the firm of a blind attorney, and upon the senior attorney's death Brown took over the practice. Always active in political causes, Brown entered public life as District Attorney, and eventually became Attorney General. As Governor, he achieved a statewide water plan and improvements in higher education, but his most controversial move was when he granted a 60-day reprieve to Caryl Chessman convicted of rape and kidnapping with bodily harm (who was eventually executed). Brown also ended the practice of cross-filing for political candidates, and backed the use of computers in state government.

Administration under Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown

- Inaugural Address - January 5, 1959
- Inaugural Address - January 7, 1963

The Life of Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown

Born
April 21, 1905
San Francisco, California

Died
February 16, 1996
Beverly Hills, California

Family
First Lady: Bernice Layne
Children: 3 daughters, 1 son