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Humphrey was born in Wallace, South Dakota, the son of a small-town druggist. His father was a literary aficionado, classical music enthusiast, strong proponent of religion, egalitarian, and fervent local Democrat who inculcated the values of the [[New Deal Coalition]] into the son. The family shared in the hardships of the [[Dust Bowl|drought]] and [[Great Depression]] of the late 1920s and early 1930s, thus shaping Humphrey's liberal political philosophy. He entered the University of Minnesota in 1929, but withdrew in his sophomore year because of financial hardship and was not able to resume his studies for six years. In 1939 Humphrey graduated, magna cum laude, and in 1940 he received a master's degree in political philosophy at Louisiana State University, where he subsequently taught. He later taught at the University of Minnesota and at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. While teaching, he became active in Minnesota politics and helped merge the Democratic party with the far-left "Farmer Labor" party in Minnesota; Humphrey served as state DFL campaign chairman for the Roosevelt-Truman ticket in 1944.  

Humphrey was born in Wallace, South Dakota, the son of a small-town druggist. His father was a literary aficionado, classical music enthusiast, strong proponent of religion, egalitarian, and fervent local Democrat who inculcated the values of the [[New Deal Coalition]] into the son. The family shared in the hardships of the [[Dust Bowl|drought]] and [[Great Depression]] of the late 1920s and early 1930s, thus shaping Humphrey's liberal political philosophy. He entered the University of Minnesota in 1929, but withdrew in his sophomore year because of financial hardship and was not able to resume his studies for six years. In 1939 Humphrey graduated, magna cum laude, and in 1940 he received a master's degree in political philosophy at Louisiana State University, where he subsequently taught. He later taught at the University of Minnesota and at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. While teaching, he became active in Minnesota politics and helped merge the Democratic party with the far-left "Farmer Labor" party in Minnesota; Humphrey served as state DFL campaign chairman for the Roosevelt-Truman ticket in 1944.  

===Mayor===

===Mayor===

He ran for mayor of Minneapolis in 1943 and lost, but won in 1945, at age 34. He was always an energetic and accessible candidate,  going to his constituents rather than waiting for  them to come to him. He had already developed the  tendency to orate at great lengths. Humphrey was endlessly cheerful, forceful, energetic, witty and concerned with the well-being of his campaign workers. He was fastidious in his personal appearance and  preferred neat and clean surroundings even at his campaign headquarters. Humphrey failed in 1943 to gain the support of the far-left-wing leadership of the Minneapolis  CIO nor did he receive Teamster leadership backing. Perhaps he would have won if he had not been bluntly honest in informing a gathering of bartenders that he would eradicate vice, gambling, and liquor law abuses once he took  office.  

He ran for mayor of [[Minneapolis]] in 1943 and lost, but won in 1945, at age 34. He was always an energetic and accessible candidate,  going to his constituents rather than waiting for  them to come to him. He had already developed the  tendency to orate at great lengths. Humphrey was endlessly cheerful, forceful, energetic, witty and concerned with the well-being of his campaign workers. He was fastidious in his personal appearance and  preferred neat and clean surroundings even at his campaign headquarters. Humphrey failed in 1943 to gain the support of the far-left-wing leadership of the Minneapolis  CIO nor did he receive Teamster leadership backing. Perhaps he would have won if he had not been bluntly honest in informing a gathering of bartenders that he would eradicate vice, gambling, and liquor law abuses once he took  office.  

Once in office his efficiency and volubility attracted statewide attention.  As mayor, he championed the causes of police and city charter reform, adequate housing, and labor-management cooperation. He led the fight against racial discrimination in the city.

Once in office his efficiency and volubility attracted statewide attention.  As mayor, he championed the causes of police and city charter reform, adequate housing, and labor-management cooperation. He led the fight against racial discrimination in the city.