Spiro Theodore Agnew ( November 9 , 1918 -- September 17 , 1996 ) was the 39th Vice President of the United States . He served under President Richard M. Nixon . Spiro Theodore Agnew ( , Spiros TheÃ doros Agkniou ) ( Ë spÉ roÊ Ë Ã É nuË ; November 9 , 1918-September 17 , 1996 ) was the 39th Vice President of the United States ( 1969-1973 ) , serving under President Richard Nixon , and the 55th Governor of Maryland ( 1967-1969 ) .