William Averell Harriman, a renowned American politician, businessman, and diplomat, was born on November 15, 1891, and passed away on July 26, 1986. As the son of railroad baron E. H. Harriman, he inherited a strong entrepreneurial spirit and went on to build a successful career in various fields.
During his early years, Harriman attended Groton School and Yale University, where he forged connections that led to the establishment of a banking firm, later merging into Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. He also owned shares in prominent companies, including Union Pacific Railroad, Merchant Shipping Corporation, and Polaroid Corporation.
Harriman's involvement in politics began during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, when he served in the National Recovery Administration and the Business Advisory Council. He later moved into foreign policy roles, helping to coordinate the Lend-Lease program and serving as the ambassador to the Soviet Union, attending major World War II conferences.
After the war, Harriman became a strong advocate for George F. Kennan's policy of containment, and he played a crucial role in the implementation of the Marshall Plan as Secretary of Commerce. In 1954, he defeated Republican Senator Irving Ives to become the Governor of New York, serving a single term before his defeat by Nelson Rockefeller in the 1958 election.
Harriman's presidential aspirations were unsuccessful, as he sought the nomination at the 1952 and 1956 Democratic National Conventions, but ultimately lost to Adlai Stevenson II. Despite this, he remained a respected figure in the Democratic Party and went on to play key roles in various foreign policy initiatives.
In the 1960s, Harriman helped negotiate the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty during President John F. Kennedy's administration and was deeply involved in the Vietnam War during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. After Johnson left office, Harriman affiliated himself with organizations such as the Club of Rome and the Council on Foreign Relations.
Throughout his life, Harriman demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in various roles, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a prominent American politician, businessman, and diplomat.
