Thomas Eagleton

Politician · Lawyer

United States1929–2007

Bipolar II disorderHistorically documented [1]

Thomas Eagleton was an American politician who represented Missouri in the U.S. Senate for three terms after previously serving as the state's attorney general and lieutenant governor. In 1972, he briefly became the Democratic vice-presidential nominee as George McGovern's running mate. [1][2]

Last updated September 15, 2026

Career and work

Eagleton rose through Missouri politics from circuit attorney of St. Louis to state attorney general and lieutenant governor before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1968. He served three consecutive Senate terms. [1]

His Senate work included environmental policy and questions surrounding the constitutional division of war powers between Congress and the president. [7][6]

What has been publicly discussed

“I'm not ashamed. There is nothing dirty or corrupt or evil about the fact that I had voluntarily gone into a hospital.”
— Thomas Eagleton [5]

The following sources contain information that supports the claims made in this profile.

Journal of American History“Call Me Tom: The Life of Thomas F. Eagleton”
Scholarly review of James N. Giglio's biography supporting Eagleton's political career, bipolar II disorder and history of depression and electroconvulsive therapy.
Time“McGovern's First Crisis: The Eagleton Affair”
Contemporary reporting on Eagleton's disclosure of psychiatric hospitalization and electroconvulsive therapy during the vice-presidential campaign.
The Washington Post“Robert Boyd, journalist who shared Pulitzer for Eagleton shock-therapy revelations, dies at 91”
Retrospective account reproducing Eagleton's disclosure that his treatment included psychiatric counseling, drug treatment and electroconvulsive therapy.
Psychiatric News“With Politics and Mental Illness, The More Things Change…”
Discusses Eagleton's later written reflections on depression and stigma.
Time“Eagleton's Own Odyssey”
First-person interview containing Eagleton's reflections on his psychiatric hospitalizations and his rejection of shame surrounding them.
Washington University in St. Louis, 2007Thomas F. Eagleton, former U.S. senator and WUSTL professor, dies at 77
University obituary documenting Eagleton’s environmental legislation and Senate work on foreign relations, defense and the Cambodia funding cutoff.
State Historical Society of MissouriThomas F. Eagleton
Historical biography explaining Eagleton’s work on the constitutional division of war powers between Congress and the president.

Recommended books and other resources about Thomas Eagleton and lived experience.

ResourceThomas Eagleton Oral History — Miller Center, University of Virginia
Long-form interview with Eagleton reflecting on his Senate career, the Vietnam War, Democratic politics and the 1972 election.

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