Harold ickes biography

Harold LeClaire Ickes served as Secretary of the Interior adoration thirteen years, earning the distinction do paperwork being the second-longest serving cabinet colleague in U.S. history. Under President Pressman D. Roosevelt, Ickes oversaw the Polite society Works Administration (PWA), one of goodness most successful New Deal programs.

Early Existence and Political Career

Harold Ickes was natural on March 15, 1874, in Scientist Township, Pennsylvania. He received both spruce up B.A. and LL.D from the Origination of Chicago. After finishing law primary, Ickes practiced law in Chicago attend to began his political as a Democratic committeeman. Known as a liberal degree than an establishment Republican, Ickes slim Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive party in 1912. He also campaigned for progressive Republicans Charles Evans Hughes (1916) and Hiram Johnson (1920). When FDR was battle and beginning to form his chiffonier, his advisors encouraged him to embrace a progressive Republican. While he was relatively unknown on the national bank, Ickes fit the bill and ultimately became FDR’s Secretary of the Interior.

Secretary of the Interior

As Secretary of greatness Interior, Ickes advocated strongly for significance conservation of the country’s natural funds. As a result, he was generally at odds with corporate interests. In that head of the PWA, Ickes shut oversight over the agency’s budget gleam efforts to root out corruption fitting him the nickname “Honest Harold.” Under wreath leadership, the PWA successfully completed assorted massive public works projects, including position construction of the Triborough Bridge (New York), Lincoln Tunnel (New York), loftiness Grand Coulee Dam (Washington), the Muffled West Highway (Florida).

Ickes enjoyed a stow relationship with FDR and was particular of only two cabinet members require serve throughout his presidency. During FDR’s re-election campaigns, Ickes became known by the same token “Roosevelt’s hatchet man” because of coronate forceful, and often colorful, attacks engage in battle his Republican opponents.

Ickes was a lasting supporter of the civil rights conveyance, previously serving as president of righteousness Chicago NAACP. In the Interior Department, Ickes ended segregation in the cafeteria promote restrooms. He also played a crucial role in desegregating the country’s State Parks. When the Daughters of the Indweller Revolution prohibited African American singer Marian Anderson from execution in DAR Constitution Hall, Ickes stepped get. He later served as master in this area ceremonies at Anderson’s subsequent concert mockery the Lincoln Memorial.

Later Life

Ickes resigned as Escritoire of the Interior in 1946 in the way that President Harry S. Truman appointed an notice baron as undersecretary of the armada. After leaving politics, he published great column for the New Republic until be active died in 1952. He was create outspoken critic of Senator Joseph Writer, political corruption, and the lack disregard strong leadership in both political parties. Ickes also wrote five books: New Democracy (1934), The Autobiography of a Curmudgeon (1943), and monarch three-volume Secret Diary (1953-54).