Clifford P. Hansen was born in Jackson Hole on October 16, 1912 to Peter and Sylvia Hansen. He grew up on the family homestead, attended public schools and graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1934 with a degree in animal science.

Hansen returned to the family ranch at Spring Gulch near Jackson. Throughout his life he was active in numerous political and agricultural organizations on the local, state, and national levels. In 1962, Hansen was elected governor and served one term. He was elected US Senator in 1966 and served two terms.

He died in Jackson on October 20, 2009. Hansen's grandson, Matthew H. Mead current serves as Governor of Wyoming. To date, they are the only grandfather and grandson to both serve as governor.

The Clifford P. Hansen Gubernatorial Papers

The records of Governor Hansen's term in office include:

• Administration Records
• Subject Files
• Adjutant General
• Advice
• Aeronautics
• Agriculture
• Attorney General
• Charities and Reform
• Education
• Employment
• Equalization
• Game & Fish
• Governments
• Governor
• Grievances
• Health
• Highway
• Labor
• Lands
• Legislation
• Liquor
• Livestock
• Meetings
• Natural Resource Board
• Organizations
• Personnel
• Politics
• Press and Publicity
• Reports
• Safety
• Soil and Water
• Travel
• University of Wyoming
• Water
• Welfare
• Youth Council
• Supplementary Publications
• Adjutant General
• Education
• Legislation
• Message to the Legislature, 1965
• Organizations
• Water
• General George O. Pearson Case
• Appointments
• Proclamations
• State Economic Opportunity Office

Additional Resources

• Clifford P. Hansen papers, 1943-1978 (bulk 1967-1978), Collection Number 11454, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
• "Governor Matt Mead on Grandfather's Inspiration," 2011, Wyoming State Archives audio file in Internet Archive. (accessed July 2015) This sound file features an interview with Governor Matt Mead on how know what his Grandfather overcame as a child is an inspiration to him everyday.
• "Governor/Senator Cliff Hansen --No Problem is Insurmountable," 2009, Wyoming State Archives audio file in Internet Archive. (accessed July 2015) Hansen describes how he overcame childhood stuttering. This sound file features the last interview with Hansen recorded in September, 2009 as well with Governor Matt Mead.