Clyde Doyle

Clyde Gilman Doyle (July 11, 1887 – March 14, 1963) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States representative from California in the mid-20th century.

Clyde Doyle
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California
In office January 3, 1949 – March 14, 1963
Preceded by	Willis W. Bradley
Succeeded by	Del M. Clawson
Constituency	18th district (1949–53) 23rd district (1953–63)
In office January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1947
Preceded by	William Ward Johnson
Succeeded by	Willis W. Bradley
Constituency	18th district
Personal details
Born	Clyde Gilman Doyle (1887-07-11)July 11, 1887 Oakland, California, U.S.
Died	March 14, 1963(1963-03-14) (aged 75) Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
Party	Democratic

Early life and career

Clyde Doyle was born in Oakland, Alameda County, California and attended public schools in Oakland, Seattle, Washington, Los Angeles and Long Beach, California. Graduated from the College of Law of the University of Southern California at Los Angeles in 1917, he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Long Beach, California. He was a member and president of the Board of Freeholders, Long Beach, California in 1921 and 1922.

Political career

Doyle was a member of the California State Board of Education. Elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-ninth Congress (January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1947), he failed to win re-election in 1946 but regained his seat in 1948. He served continuously in the Eighty-first and the seven succeeding Congresses from January 3, 1949, until his death.

During his time in Congress, Doyle had a strongly liberal voting record.

House Un-American Activities Committee

Doyle served on the House Un-American Activities Committee from 1951 until his death in 1963. His role on the committee is recalled unflatteringly in Beat Generation poet and fellow Californian Lawrence Ferlinghetti's 1958 poem "Dog" (published in his celebrated collection A Coney Island of the Mind):

But he has his own free world to live in

His own fleas to eat

He will not be muzzled

Congressman Doyle is just another

fire hydrant

to him

Death

Doyle died in Arlington, Virginia on March 14, 1963, at the age of 75. After funeral services in Long Beach, he was cremated and the ashes were given to his family.

See also

• List of members of the United States Congress who died in office (1950–1999)

References

• United States Congress. "Clyde Doyle (id: D000481)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.