Culbert Olson

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Culbert Olson
Olson in 1935
29th Governor of California
In office January 2, 1939 – January 4, 1943
Lieutenant	Ellis E. Patterson
Preceded by	Frank Merriam
Succeeded by	Earl Warren
Member of the California Senate from the 38th district
In office January 7, 1935 – January 2, 1939
Preceded by	J. W. McKinley
Succeeded by	Robert W. Kenny
Member of the Utah State Senate from the 6th district
In office January 8, 1917 – January 10, 1921
Personal details
Born	Culbert Levy Olson (1876-11-07)November 7, 1876 Fillmore, Utah, U.S.
Died	April 13, 1962(1962-04-13) (aged 85) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Kate Jeremy ​ ​ (m. 1905; died 1939)​
Children	3
Alma mater	Brigham Young University University of Michigan George Washington University
Profession	Journalist, Lawyer
Culbert Olson's voice This broadcast contains a campaign speech on old age assistance and pension benefits. Recorded 1942

Culbert Levy Olson (November 7, 1876 – April 13, 1962) was an American lawyer and politician. A Democratic Party member, Olson was involved in Utah and California politics. He was elected to both the Utah State Senate and California State Senate serving one term in each. As a result of the 1938 California gubernatorial election he was elected as the 29th governor of California, where he served from 1939 to 1943. During his time as governor, Olson struggled to pass New Deal legislation due to hostility from the California legislature. He also supported the internment and removal of Japanese Americans from California after the United States entered World War Two. He was the first atheist governor of an American state.