George Dewey Clyde (July 21, 1898 – April 2, 1972) was an

American politician The politics of the United States function within a framework of a constitutional federal republic and presidential system, with three distinct branches that share powers. These are: the U.S. Congress which forms the legislative branch, a bi ...

and the tenth governor of Utah, serving two terms from 1957 until 1965 as a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

. Although Clyde was on the faculty of

Utah State University Utah State University (USU or Utah State) is a public land-grant research university in Logan, Utah. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. With nearly 20,000 students living on or near campus, USU is Utah ...

for twenty two years, serving as Dean of the agricultural college's College of Engineering and Technology, he is best known for an eight-year battle with Utah school teachers that eventually resulted in the first statewide teachers strike in United States history during May 1964. He was also involved in the creation of Canyonlands National Park. He came from a prominent

Latter-day Saint Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, the principal branch of the Latter Day Saint movement started by Joseph Smith in upstate New York during the 1820s. After Smith's death in 1844, the movement split into several ...

family in Springville, south of Provo, Utah. Clyde was the younger brother of W. W. Clyde, wealthy philanthropist and founder of W.W. Clyde Company and Geneva Rock. Clyde received his bachelor's degree from Utah State University and a master's degree from the

University of California, Berkeley The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California) is a public land-grant research university in Berkeley, California. Established in 1868 as the University of California, it is the state's first land-grant u ...

Public service

In 1934, Clyde was appointed as a Utah state water conservator during a period of drought and was later appointed to the advisory board of the Utah Department of Industrial Development Water Resource Division. He also was elected director and later the vice-president of the Utah Water Users Association. In 1945, Clyde was appointed chief of the Division of Irrigation Engineering and Water Conservation and Research for the U. S. Soil Conservation Service. In 1953, he became the director of the Utah Water and Power Board. In 1956, Clyde defeated incumbent J. Bracken Lee, running as an Independent, and Democrat L.C. Romney in the gubernatorial race. During Clyde's first term as governor, he succeeded in increasing state aid to education and teacher salaries. During these first years as governor, highway construction increased by 500 percent, state personnel practices and wages improved, and new programs for public welfare, state parks, and libraries were initiated. As a fiscal conservative, however, he refused to bond the state for the increasing building needs of higher education. During Clyde's second term he again came into conflict with educators. His administration's spending increases for education fell short of perceived needs and a two-day classroom walk-out was staged. The

National Education Association The National Education Association (NEA) is the largest labor union in the United States. It represents public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college stud ...

voted sanctions against Utah. Clyde finally approved a large state building bill that included education but did not require bonding. The creation of Canyonlands National Park also created publicity and conflict during the governor's second term. Utah's Senator

Frank E. Moss Frank Edward "Ted" Moss (September 23, 1911 – January 29, 2003) was an American lawyer and politician. A Democrat, he served as a United States Senator from Utah from 1959 to 1977. Early life and education Frank Moss was born in Holladay ...

proposed the national park but Clyde felt the park was too large and tied up much of Utah's natural resources. After a public political battle, a reluctant compromise led to the creation of a smaller national park. Other events during Clyde's terms included breaking ground for the new interstate highway and the construction of the

University of Utah The University of Utah (U of U, UofU, or simply The U) is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the flagship institution of the Utah System of Higher Education. The university was established in 1850 as the University of De ...

's Medical School. Clyde also vetoed a Sunday closing bill in favor of minorities. Clyde chose not to run for a third term. Clyde suffered a stroke soon after retirement and died from effects of the stroke on April 2, 1972.

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Clyde, George 1898 births 1972 deaths 20th-century American engineers Farmers from Utah Latter Day Saints from Utah Republican Party governors of Utah People from Springville, Utah Utah State University alumni Utah State University faculty University of California, Berkeley alumni 20th-century American politicians