Blais, Denis oral history interview

Authors

Don Nicoll
Stuart O'Brien
Rob Chavira

Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

6-22-1998

Interview Number

MOH 028

Abstract

Denis Blais was born in Canada and moved to Rhode Island at age three. He dropped out of school at age fourteen to work as a stock clerk at a textile mill in order to support his family. From 1943-1946, he served as a surgical technician in England. He married while in the military. He was very involved in the unions, becoming coordinator of all American unions. He supported Muskie through union involvement. Blais was also involved in civil rights and IWOA.

Scope and Content Note

Interview includes discussions of: Maine legislature; Democratic National Committee; Maine Democratic Party (1952-1954); 1954 Maine gubernatorial campaign; Maine Governor (1955- 1956) ; 1956 Maine gubernatorial campaign; Maine Governor (1957-1958); 1968 Vice Presidential campaign; Muskie’s Presidential campaign (1969-1972); Denis Blais personal information; the merger of AFL and CIO; the revival of the Democratic party; the connection between Democratic Party and Labor; the Frank Coffin gubernatorial campaign; Blais’s election records from 1950; and the 1968 Democratic Convention.

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; O'Brien, Stuart; and Chavira, Rob, "Blais, Denis oral history interview" (1998). Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection. 41.
https://scarab.bates.edu/muskie_oh/41