Calvin Coolidge was the 30th president of the United States, who served from 1923 to 1929. He was known as a small-government conservative and a man of few words, earning him the nickname “Silent Cal”. He left office with high popularity, but his reputation suffered after the Great Depression that began in 1929. He died of a heart attack at his home in Northampton, Massachusetts, on January 5, 1933, at the age of 60. In this article, we will explore the cause and circumstances of his death, as well as his legacy and impact on American history.
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The Cause of Death: Coronary Thrombosis
The official cause of death for Coolidge was listed as a coronary thrombosis, which is a blood clot in a coronary artery that blocks the flow of blood to the heart muscle. This can result in a heart attack, which is also known as a myocardial infarction. A heart attack can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and loss of consciousness. If not treated promptly, it can lead to permanent damage to the heart or death.
According to Forbes Library, Coolidge had been in failing health for some time before his death. He suffered from high blood pressure, chronic indigestion, and insomnia. He also had a history of heart problems in his family. His father died of a heart attack at 80, and his grandfather died of a stroke at 63. Coolidge himself had experienced chest pains and fainting spells in the past, but he did not seek medical attention or change his lifestyle.
Coolidge’s death was sudden and unexpected. He had spent the previous day working on his autobiography and playing cards with his wife Grace and their friends. He went to bed around 10 p.m., but woke up around 12:30 a.m. with severe chest pain. He called for his doctor, who arrived shortly and administered oxygen and nitroglycerin. However, it was too late to save him. Coolidge died at 1:05 a.m., with Grace by his side.
The Circumstances of Death: A Quiet Retirement
Coolidge’s death came four years after he left the White House. He had decided not to run for re-election in 1928, saying that ten years as president would be “longer than any other man has had it – too long!” He was succeeded by his secretary of commerce, Herbert Hoover, who won in a landslide.
Coolidge retired to his home in Northampton, where he lived a quiet and modest life. He wrote newspaper columns, gave speeches, served on corporate boards, and worked on his memoirs. He also enjoyed fishing, reading, and spending time with his family. He maintained a good relationship with Hoover and offered him advice on various issues. He also kept in touch with his former colleagues and friends in Washington.
Coolidge was widely respected and admired by the public during his retirement. He was seen as a man of integrity, wisdom, and humor. He received many honors and tributes from various organizations and institutions. He also remained popular among Republicans, who considered him as a potential candidate for the 1932 election. However, Coolidge declined to run again or endorse anyone else.
The Legacy and Impact of Death: A Mixed Reputation
Coolidge’s death was mourned by the nation and the world. His funeral was held at Edwards Congregational Church in Northampton on January 7, 1933. It was attended by Hoover, former presidents William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson’s widow Edith Wilson, members of Congress, governors, diplomats, and thousands of citizens. His body was then taken by train to Plymouth Notch, Vermont, where he was buried next to his father and son Calvin Jr., who had died of blood poisoning in 1924.
Coolidge’s legacy and impact on American history are mixed and controversial. On one hand, he is praised for presiding over a period of prosperity, peace, and balanced budgets. He reduced taxes, debt, and spending; supported women’s suffrage; fostered good relations with foreign countries; and upheld the rule of law and constitutional principles. He is also admired for his personal qualities of honesty, humility, diligence, and faith.
On the other hand, he is criticized for failing to address the underlying problems that led to the Great Depression. He did not help the depressed agricultural sector; he contributed to the uneven distribution of wealth and the overproduction of goods; he did not regulate the stock market or the banking system; he ignored the social and economic inequalities; and he did not respond adequately to the challenges posed by fascism and communism abroad.
Coolidge’s reputation has fluctuated over time among historians and scholars. Some have ranked him low among American presidents in terms of his positive impact and legacy, while others have ranked him high for his conservative policies and principles. He has also been revived and revered by some modern conservatives, such as Ronald Reagan, who returned his portrait to the Oval Office and praised his political style and leadership.
Coolidge remains a fascinating and complex figure in American history. He was a man of few words, but many deeds. He was a man of the past, but also of the future. He was a man of peace, but also of crisis. He was a man of silence, but also of sound. He was Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States, who died of a heart attack at 60.
