The Des Moines reformer who led Iowa's Progressive era as governor and then shaped the U.S. Senate.
Albert Baird Cummins, a Des Moines lawyer, became a leader of Iowa's Progressive movement. As governor from 1902 he championed reforms — the direct primary, railroad regulation, and anti-monopoly measures — under the banner of the “Iowa Idea.”
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1908, he served until 1926, rose to President pro tempore, and co-authored major railroad legislation.
Cummins helped make Iowa a laboratory of Progressive reform, and his influence reached deep into national railroad and antitrust policy. He is among the most consequential Iowa politicians of his age.
His long career bridged the state and national reform movements.
The Des Moines reformer who led Iowa's Progressive era as governor and then shaped the U.S. Senate.
Albert B. Cummins was from Des Moines, Iowa.
1850–1926.
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