Education of a Senator

A 30th anniversary edition of the posthumously published autobiography of Senator Everett Dirksen—now including never-before-seen photos documenting Dirksen's life and career.

Everett McKinley Dirksen was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1932 and served as the US Senate Minority Leader from 1959–1969, and he is best known for his role as the nation's top Republican leader who facilitated the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 against Southern Democrat intransigence. During his time in Congress, he captivated his colleagues and audiences everywhere with his rhetoric and his voice, and his legislative prowess earned him a reputation for being the “Uncrowned King of the Senate.”

Years after Dirksen died unexpectedly in 1969, the Dirksen Congressional Center discovered a rough manuscript of the autobiography that the Senator had been crafting, which describes in his own voice and vivid recollection the major moments of his life that ultimately shaped the person who won the “impossible” race for US Senate in 1950 against its Majority Leader Scott Lucas.

The Education of a Senator is a must-read for anyone drawn to the personal stories behind public figures, offering a deeper appreciation for the compelling blend of Dirksen’s everyday humanity and remarkable leadership. Originally published in 1996, this 30th anniversary edition includes a new introduction from Everett Dirksen’s nephew, Tom Dirksen Sr., and an afterword from Senate Historian Emeritus Donald Ritchie. It also includes dozens of photos from Dirksen’s personal papers that add a new level of detail about his life. In the context of current events that are dramatically shaping the story of our country, The Education of a Senator is a remarkable testament to an individual who left an indelible impression on Congress.

The Dirksen Congressional Center is pleased to introduce a new generation of readers, public servants, and future historians to Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen with the publication of this new edition.

Everett McKinley Dirksen is remembered as a prominent and effective congressional leader. As Senate Minority Leader (1959–1969), he became well-known for his indispensable role in successfully negotiating and gathering the support of his colleagues to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Upon his death in 1969, his family and former staff collaborated with the Pekin community to establish the Everett McKinley Dirksen Congressional Leadership Research Center and advance the public’s understanding of the US Congress.