Alben William Barkley (born Willie Alben Barkley, November 24, 1877 – April 30, 1956) was a lawyer and politician from Kentucky. Barkley served 14 years as a U.S. Representative, 23 years as a U.S. Senator, and from 1949-1953 as the 35th Vice President of the United States under President Harry Truman. When Truman announced that he would not seek re-election in 1952, Barkley began organizing a presidential campaign, but labor leaders refused to endorse his candidacy because of his advanced age (74), and he withdrew from the race.