Milward L. Simpson is one of the most legendary figures in Wyoming history. In addition to serving as a United States Senator and Governor, Simpson is the only man to ever be named captain of the University of Wyoming football, baseball and basketball teams.

Simpson was born in Jackson in 1897. As a child, his family lived in Wood River, Meeteetse and Cody. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in World War I, eventually rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Following the war, Simpson enrolled at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. In 1918, he was the leading scorer on the basketball team. In 1920, he was named to the Kodak All-American football team. The three-sport captain was also a member of the school's debate team.

Baseball was, perhaps, his best sport. He turned down several offers to play in the major leagues after college, instead choosing to enroll in Harvard Law School

Upon graduating from Harvard Law School, Simpson returned to Cody and opened a successful law practice.

In 1955, Simpson was elected as the 23rd Governor of Wyoming, serving one term. Then, in 1962, he won a special election for the United States Senate.

Simpson was one of six Republican senators to vote again the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Seven years earlier, as Governor, he signed a similar civil rights bill in which outlawed segregation in Wyoming.

After leaving office in 1967, Simpson returned to Cody, where he lived until 1993, when he died at the age of 95.

His youngest son, Alan K. Simpson, went on to serve as a United States Senator from 1979 to 1997.

In 1996, Simpson was inducted into the Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame. The award for the Wyoming's best high school athlete was also named in his honor.

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