Muskie, Jane Gray oral history interview

Authors

Don Nicoll

Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

12-4-2000

Interview Number

MOH 251

Abstract

Jane (Gray) Muskie was born on February 12, 1927 to Myrtie (Jackson) and Millage Guy Gray. She grew up in the Waterville, Maine area, graduating from Waterville High School. Her father died when she was about 10 years old, so her mother supported the family. During the summers, Jane and her mother would travel to various resorts in Maine so her mother could cook. Jane’s first job was dishwashing at one of these resorts. After graduating from high school, Jane worked in Downtown Waterville at clothing stores. At the age of eighteen, she met Ed Muskie, a Waterville lawyer. They dated for three years before marrying in 1948. In 1986, she and Abigail McCarthy wrote a book entitled One Woman Lost, which focused on being married to politicians. At the time of the interview, she lived in Bethesda, Maryland. Jane passed away on December 25, 2004.

Scope and Content Note

Interview includes discussions of: life in the Blaine House; social responsibilities of the governor’s wife; Cathy Rines; Arthur Benoit; 1956 Maine State Convention; Muskie family; New England Governors meetings; hardships of a political career; benefits of a political career; move to Washington; and Muskie’s Senate colleagues.

Use Restrictions

Copyright Bates College. This transcript is provided for individual Research Purposes Only; for all other uses, including publication, reproduction and quotation beyond fair use, permission must be obtained in writing from: The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College, 70 Campus Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240-6018.

Recommended Citation

Nicoll, Don, "Muskie, Jane Gray oral history interview" (2000). Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection. 292.
https://scarab.bates.edu/muskie_oh/292