Culbert Olson

Culbert Olson
Olson in 1935
29th Governor of California
In office
January 2, 1939  January 4, 1943
LieutenantEllis E. Patterson
Preceded byFrank Merriam
Succeeded byEarl Warren
Member of the California Senate
from the 38th district
In office
January 7, 1935  January 2, 1939
Preceded byJ. W. McKinley
Succeeded byRobert W. Kenny
Chairman of the
California Democratic Party
In office
September 29, 1934  September 26, 1937
Preceded byMaurice Harrison
Succeeded byClifford C. Anglim
Member of the Utah State Senate
from the 6th district
In office
January 8, 1917  January 10, 1921
Preceded byMulti-member district
Succeeded byMulti-member district
Personal details
Born
Culbert Levy Olson

(1876-11-07)November 7, 1876
Fillmore, Utah, U.S.
DiedApril 13, 1962(1962-04-13) (aged 85)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Kate Jeremy
(m. 1905; died 1939)
Children
  • Richard
  • Dean
  • John
RelativesEdmund Rice (ancestor)
William H. King (first cousin)
Education
ProfessionJournalist, lawyer
Signature

Culbert Levy Olson (November 7, 1876 – April 13, 1962) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 29th governor of California from 1939 to 1943. A member of the Democratic Party, Olson was previously elected to both the Utah State Senate and California State Senate, serving one term in each. During his term 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 II. He was the first atheist governor of an American state.