Spiro Theodore Agnew (November 9, 1918 – September 17, 1996) was an American politician who served as the 39th Vice President of the United States from 1969 to 1973 under President [[Richard Nixon]]. Agnew was also the 55th Governor of Maryland, serving from 1967 to 1969. Despite his rise in national politics, Agnew's political career ended in disgrace due to a corruption scandal, leading to his resignation as Vice President. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Agnew was the son of Greek immigrants, Theodore Spiros Agnew and Margaret Marian Pollard. He attended public schools in Maryland and later enrolled in Johns Hopkins University in 1937. However, he left the university to support his family during [[The Great Depression]]. Agnew later enrolled at the University of Baltimore School of Law, attending night classes while working during the day. During the [[World War II Timeline]], Agnew joined the United States Army as an enlisted man, serving in the European Theater. He later served in the Korean War as a reservist, ultimately attaining the rank of Major in the United States Army Reserve. ## Political career Agnew entered politics in the late 1950s, first as a member of the Baltimore County Zoning Board and then as the Baltimore County Executive from 1962 to 1966. As a moderate [Republican](https://doctorparadox.net/the-gop-is-3-cults-in-a-trenchcoat/), he successfully ran for Governor of Maryland in 1966, focusing on issues such as [[civil rights]] and education. In 1968, Richard Nixon chose Agnew as his running mate for the presidential election, primarily for his moderate stance and ability to appeal to both Northern and Southern voters. Nixon and Agnew won the election, and Agnew became the Vice President in January 1969. As Vice President, Agnew was known for his outspoken nature and controversial statements, which often drew both praise and criticism. He gained notoriety for his attacks on the media, anti-war protesters, and the Democratic Party. Agnew played a significant role in shaping the "Southern Strategy," which aimed to attract Southern white voters to the Republican Party. ## Resignation and aftermath In 1973, Agnew became the focus of a federal investigation into allegations of bribery, extortion, and tax evasion during his time as Governor of Maryland and Baltimore County Executive. He was charged with accepting bribes and evading taxes, and in October 1973, Agnew resigned as Vice President, becoming the second person to do so in U.S. history. He later pleaded no contest to a single count of tax evasion and was sentenced to three years of probation and fined $10,000. Agnew's resignation and subsequent criminal conviction tarnished his reputation and led to his withdrawal from public life. After leaving office, Agnew worked as an international trade executive and published a memoir, "Go Quietly...Or Else," in 1980. He passed away on September 17, 1996, in Berlin, Maryland, from complications of leukemia.