biography
| name: |
Ickes, Harold L(eClaire)
|
pronunciation:
[ikeez]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1874–1952)
|
| biography:
| Lawyer, public official, journalist, and writer, born in Frankstown Township, Pennsylvania, USA. He studied at the University of Chicago, and began reporting for Chicago newspapers (1897–1900), but soon became involved in Republican reform politics and a civic-minded law practice. Prominent in the Progressive Party (1912–16), he changed affiliation, backed Franklin D Roosevelt in 1932, and was appointed interior secretary (1933–46). Blunt and outspoken, he often quarrelled with journalists and fellow officials, and as Public Works Administration director (1933–9) he angered private utilities by curbing their power and providing low-cost public utilities and housing. During World War 2 he was administrator of solid fuels, petroleum, fisheries, and coal mines. In 1946 he resigned in protest of President Truman's appointment of an oilman as navy under-secretary. He supported Truman's re-election, joining the staff of The New Republic in 1949. His books include Autobiography of a Curmudgeon (1943) and Secret Diary of Harold L Ickes (1953–4). |
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