John S. Burgess

John S. Burgess (May 10, 1920 – September 20, 2007) was a Vermont attorney and politician who served as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives and Lieutenant Governor.

Biography

John Stuart "Jack" Burgess was born in New York City on May 10, 1920. He was a bomber navigator in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, served on active duty again during the Korean War, and attained the rank of Major in the Air Force Reserve.

Burgess graduated from the University of Vermont, received a law degree from Northeastern University in 1949, and became a lawyer in Brattleboro. He served as Windham County State's Attorney from 1952 to 1957. He also served in numerous local government positions in Brattleboro, including Town Agent, Town Attorney and Justice of the Peace.

A Republican, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the nomination for Vermont Attorney General, losing to Charles E. Gibson Jr. He was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1966 and was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee before serving as Speaker.

In 1970 Burgess was the successful Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor and served two terms, 1971 to 1975. He lost the 1974 Republican primary for Vermont's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives to Jim Jeffords.

After leaving office Burgess continued to practice law and maintained his participation in Brattleboro's local government and civic activities. He died in Keene, New Hampshire on September 20, 2007 and was buried in Brattleboro's Meeting House Hill Cemetery.