William Allen Egan (October 8, 1914 – May 6, 1984) was an American Democratic politician. He served as the first Governor of the State of Alaska from January 3, 1959 to 1966, and was elected to a second term from 1970 to 1974. Born in Valdez, Alaska, Egan is the only governor in the state's history to have actually been born in Alaska. He is today considered as one of the modern fathers of the state, and remains a popular figure in Alaskan histor...
more
William Allen Egan (October 8, 1914 – May 6, 1984) was an American Democratic politician. He served as the first Governor of the State of Alaska from January 3, 1959 to 1966, and was elected to a second term from 1970 to 1974. Born in Valdez, Alaska, Egan is the only governor in the state's history to have actually been born in Alaska. He is today considered as one of the modern fathers of the state, and remains a popular figure in Alaskan history and state political culture.
The child of a working-class mining family of six children in Valdez, Egan was raised by his mother following his father's death in an avalanche in 1920. By age 10, Egan was working in a local cannery, helping to support his struggling family. Thanks to the lack of driving laws in the Alaska Territory during the 1920s, Egan learned to drive at an early age, shuttling tourists around during summer months. By the age of 14, Egan was driving dump trucks for the Alaska Road Commission.
Following his graduation as a...
less
