Adlai Stevenson
Dedicated September 10, 1978, located in the Quiet Reading Room, at Bloomington Public Library.
This sculpture was presented to the care of the library by the Stevenson Committee, Adlai E. Stevenson Lectures on International Affairs.
Stevenson the Man
- 1900 Born in Los Angeles on February 5
- 1906 Moved to Bloomington, Illinois
- 1906-1917 Educated in Bloomington Normal schools
- 1922 Graduated from Princeton University
- 1926 Graduated from Northwestern Law School
- 1920s Reporter and Editor, Bloomington Daily Pantagraph
- 1927-1941 Private Law Practice, Chicago and Washington
- 1941-1944 Assistant to Secretary of Navy
- 1945 Assistant to Secretary of State
- 1945 Member United States Delegation to U.N.
- 1946-1947 Delegate to General Assembly of U.N.
- 1949-1953 Governor of Illinois
- 1952 & 1956 Democratic Party Candidate for President of the United States
- 1961-1965 United States Ambassador to the U.N.
- 1965 Died July 14 in London, England and buried in Bloomington, Illinois
Stevenson the Statesman
“I have Bloomington to thank for the most important lesson I have learned; that in quiet places, reason abounds, that in quiet people, there is reason and purpose, that many things are revealed to the humble that are hidden from the great. The spirit of Bloomington is the midland concept of Americanism, progress coupled with order, liberty without license, tolerance without laxness, thrift without meanness. Here I have learned that good communities make a good state and nothing else can. Here from my parents and friends, I learned that good government is good politics, and that public office should double the responsibility that a man feels for his home, his own neighborhood, his home town.” 1952 Presidential Campaign
For Further information on Stevenson
The library has books by and about Adlai Stevenson. To locate the books, search the library’s catalog.
By using “Advanced Search” and entering “Stevenson, Adlai” in the Author field, you will locate books written by Adlai Stevenson. By using “Advanced Search” and entering “Stevenson, Adlai” in the Subject field you will locate books written about Adlai Stevenson. If you need any assistance locating information or materials please ask a librarian at the Reference Desk.
Historic Locations
- Stevenson Home, 1316 East Washington
The Stevenson’s moved here when he was six years old. - Stevenson Grave Site, Evergreen Cemetery (off Miller Street)
A Stevenson Family Monument marks the area. - Bloomington Daily Pantagraph building on Washington Street between Madison and Roosevelt
Adlai Stevenson served as reporter and editor.
- Locations at Illinois State University
- Adlai E. Stevenson Hall for the Humanities.
- Stevenson Memorial Room: contains memorabilia from two presidential campaigns, plus first draft of acceptance speech at Democratic Convention, 1952.