Profile Text
Birth Name: Alan MacGregor Cranston
Date of Birth: June 19, 1914
Place of Birth: Palo Alto, Santa Clara, California, United States
Date of Death: December 31, 2000
Place of Death: Los Altos Hills, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: * father – Scottish * mother – English
Alan Cranston was an American politician and journalist. A member of the Democratic Party, he was Controller of California, from January 5, 1959 to January 2, 1967, a U.S. Senator from California, from January 3, 1969 to January 3, 1993; Senate Majority Whip, and Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, both, from January 3, 1977 to January 3, 1981, then again in the former position, from January 3, 1987 to January 3, 1991, and then again in the latter position, from January 3, 1987 to January 3, 1993; and Senate Minority Whip, from January 3, 1981 to January 3, 1987.
He was a candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 1984 .
Alan was the son of Carol E. (Dixon) and William MacGregor Cranston. His paternal grandparents were Canadian, and were of Scottish descent. His mother had Colonial American (English) ancestry, with deep roots in New England. His family was wealthy, and held real estate investments. Alan had two children with his former wife Geneva McMath.
Alan’s paternal grandfather was named Robert D. Cranston. Robert was born in Canada, to Scottish parents.
Alan’s paternal grandmother was Jennie MacGregor/McGregor (the daughter of William McGregor and Jessie Bolt). Jennie was born in Canada, to Scottish parents, with roots in Perthshire.
Alan’s maternal grandfather was Dr. George Merritt Dixon (the son of The Rev. Hiram Harlow Dixon and Sarepta A. “Sarah” Wells). George was born in Vermont. Hiram was the son of Gideon O. Dixon and Esther Dryer. Sarepta was the daughter of Daniel Wells and Amanda.
Alan’s maternal grandmother was named Sadie Angeline Johnson (the daughter of Hiram Johnson). Sadie was born in Wisconsin, to parents from New York.
Sources: Genealogies of Alan Cranston (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com https://www.findagrave.com
Alan Cranston on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org Alan Cranston on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Alan’s parents on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Alan’s father on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Alan’s mother on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org