Compiled by Russell Bastedo
State Curator
1998

Hugh Gregg (1953-1955). Born Nashua; Nashua lawyer and businessman. In state politics from 1947; governor 1953/5.

Hugh Gregg (1917-2003)graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, NH) in 1935, and from Yale University (1939). He received his law degree from Harvard University Law School (1942), and was admitted to the New Hampshire Bar later that year.

Gregg served overseas during World War Two (1942/6), as a special agent with the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps. Returning to Nashua, he was elected alderman-at-large (1947) and then mayor (1949). The Korean War (1950/2) saw him serving again with U.S. Army Counterintelligence; returning to Nashua in 1952 he joined what became the law firm of Sullivan & Gregg. He also became treasurer (later president) of the family millwork firm, Gregg & Son, Inc. And he entered the 1952 Republican direct primary for governor and won. He won the general election later that year.

Governor Gregg worked to boost the state's economy through New Hampshire Whooper Week, asking the state's individual citizens to help boost New Hampshire agriculture, recreation and industry. The early 1950s were also the height of fears of communist infiltration of American government and institutions, however, and the McCarthy Era's impact was reflected in the state legislature, where the state attorney general was authorized to investigate "subversive activities". A special session of the legislature was also called to consider how the state acquired land for highway construction. The rights of the individual citizen vs. Big Government were discussed at length.

Gregg did not run for reelection in 1956, but he did enter the Republican direct primaries of 1958 and 1960. Each time he lost to Wesley Powell. In retirement he founded the Library and Archives of New Hampshire's Political Tradition. He also defened the New Hampshire State Primary, "First in the Nation" every presidential election year.

Location: State House, Second Floor
Portrait by Richard Whitney, 1969