Agnew, Spiro T(heodore) 1918-96
US politician

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of a Greek immigrant, he served in World War II and studied law at the University of Maryland. In 1966 he was elected Governor of Maryland on a liberal platform, supporting anti-discrimination and anti-poverty legislation, but by 1968 he had become considerably more conservative. As a compromise figure acceptable to many in the Republican Party, he became Richard Nixon's running mate in the 1968 election, and took office as Vice-President in 1969. He resigned in 1973 after charges of corruption during his years in Maryland politics were brought against him. After pleading no contest to income tax evasion, he was sentenced to probation and fined. He published Go Quietly ? or Else in 1980.

Bibliography: Richard M Cohen, A Heartbeat Away: The Investigation and Resignation of Vice-President Spiro T Agnew (1974)