College of Law Class of 1924
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Class Year
1924
Description
Albert Benjamin Chandler, LL.B.
Corydon, Kentucky
ΠΚΑ; A.B. Transylvania College, 1921; Coach Girls’ Basketball Team, ’23; Class Basketball, ’23 (Champs).
“Haa’vd.” Introducing “Happy,” who reversed his motors, took his basic law at the above-mentioned institution and polished it up with a couple years at Kentucky. “Happy” was the class warbler. His specialty was the midnight serenade.
-The Kentuckian, 1924
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Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler, Sr. (July 14, 1898 - June 15, 1991) was born in Corydon, Kentucky to Joseph Chandler and Callie Saunders. Chandler first studied at Transylvania College where he received an A.B. in 1921. In 1921, Chandler began a year of study at Harvard Law School. He completed his legal education at the University of Kentucky in 1924. Chandler practiced law in Versailles while also coaching high school sports. Chandler was elected to the Kentucky General Assembly as a Senator in 1928. In 1931, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky. In 1935, he was elected to his first term as Governor of Kentucky. Chandler launched an unsuccessful bid to become the Democratic party candidate for one of Kentucky's seats in the United States Senate in 1938. In 1939, Chandler resigned as Governor to fill a US Senate seat vacated by the death of Senator Marvel Mills Logan. Chandler served as Senator until 1945--he resigned in 1945 to become the Commissioner of Baseball. Chandler's term ended in 1951 and he was not re-elected to a second term. Chandler returned to his law practice in Versailles between 1951 and 1955. Chandler was re-elected as Kentucky's Governor in 1955. He launched additional unsuccessful campaigns for the governorship in 1963, 1967, and 1971. Chandler married Mildred Lucille Watkins in 1925.
