Biography.guide
Home › People › Lawyer › John J. O'Connell
Portrait of John J. O'Connell

John J. O'Connell

1919 – 1998

American politician in Washington

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About John J. O'Connell

Lived 1919 – 1998 (aged 78). John J. O'Connell was an American lawyer and politician.

John J. O'Connell (April 30, 1919 – March 24, 1998) was an American lawyer and politician from Washington who served as the 13th Attorney General of Washington from 1957 to 1969.

Early life and education O'Connell was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. He earned a Bachelor of Laws from the Gonzaga University School of Law and served as a captain in the United States Army during World War II.

Career After serving in the Army, O'Connell returned to Tacoma and established a private legal practice. He served as the city prosecutor of Tacoma and county prosecutor of Pierce County, Washington. O'Connell was elected Attorney General of Washington in 1956, and served until 1969. O'Connell was succeeded in office by Slade Gorton. O'Connell was also the Democratic nominee in the 1968 Washington gubernatorial election, losing to Republican Daniel J. Evans. Soon after leaving office, O'Connell resumed his private legal practice.

Personal life O'Connell and his wife, Margaret, had six children. He died in Tacoma on March 24, 1998, at the age of 78.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Gonzaga University School of Law
Also known as
John O'Connell

People in John J. O'Connell's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John J. O'Connell's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John J. O'Connell?

American politician in Washington (1919-1998)

When was John J. O'Connell born?

John J. O'Connell was born on 30 April 1919 in Tacoma.

When did John J. O'Connell die?

John J. O'Connell died on 24 March 1998 in Tacoma, Washington, Washington (state).

What was John J. O'Connell's occupation?

John J. O'Connell was a lawyer and politician.

What nationality was John J. O'Connell?

John J. O'Connell was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John J. O'Connell

· Wikidata: Q104850356

· DBpedia: John J. O'Connell (politician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John J. O'Connell. https://biography.guide/john-j-o-connell/

MLA: "John J. O'Connell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-j-o-connell/.

Chicago: "John J. O'Connell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-j-o-connell/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:12 UTC