Born in Wallace, South Dakota. Received B.A. from University of Minnesota in 1939; M.A. from Louisiana State University in 1940. Married Muriel Fay Buck September 3, 1936. They had four children.

Employed as pharmacist with Humphrey Drug Co. in Huron, South Dakota, 1933 to 1937. Elected mayor of Minneapolis and served 1945 to 1948. Elected Senator in 1948 and served until 1964 when he became a candidate for Vice President. He was elected V.P. under Lyndon Johnson and served 1965 to 1969. He was a candidate for president in 1968 but was defeated by Richard Nixon. He returned to the Senate in 1971 and served until his death in Waverly, Minnesota in 1978. His wife Muriel was appointed to complete his term in office.

Congress honored Humphrey with a gold medal (USM 670) as part of the National Historic series. Dies were by John Mercanti. A gold plated medal was presented to Muriel. A thousand gold plated medals were offered to collectors. Bronze copies were sold by the mint.

bio: BDC; BDEB; EAB; IntWW 77; WAB; WWWA-7

obit: NYT 1/14/78