Claiborne Pell: Rhode Island Senator Behind the Pell Grant Dies at 90

Claiborne Pell was a Democratic U.S. senator from Rhode Island for 36 years. Born on November 22, 1918, in New York City, he was the son of a diplomat and served in the Coast Guard in World War II.

Elected in 1960, he served six terms, from 1961 to 1997, and chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1987 to 1995. In 1972 he sponsored the legislation that created Basic Educational Opportunity Grants, renamed Pell Grants in 1980, which helped millions of students pay for college.

He married Nuala O'Donnell in 1944 and had four children. Pell had Parkinson's disease in his later years. He died at his home in Newport, Rhode Island, on January 1, 2009, at age 90.

Achievements: U.S. Senator (1961-1997), creator of the Pell Grant.

Birth: November 22, 1918 - New York City.

Profession: Politician.

Interesting Facts: The bridge between Newport and Jamestown carries his name.