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Harry Darby

Politician. Republican. Born: January 23, 1895, Kansas City, Kansas. Died: January 17, 1987, Kansas City, Kansas. Served in U.S. Senate: December 2, 1949, to November 28, 1950.

When Senator Reed died in November 1949, Governor Carlson appointed Kansas City businessman Harry Darby to fill the vacancy. The Darby Steel Corporation in the West Bottoms of Kansas City made most of the landing craft tanks used in World War II. A 56-year-old native of Wyandotte County, Darby had no designs on political office and did not seek election in 1950. Instead, he resigned on November 28 to allow senator-elect Carlson to take office early. He was named the Native Sons and Daughters' Kansan of the Year in 1961. Darby returned to private life in Kansas City where he died on January 17, 1987.

Entry: Darby, Harry

Author: Kansas Historical Society

Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.

Date Created: June 2011

Date Modified: August 2013

The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.