Benjamin Franklin Fairless (1890–1962,) born Benjamin Franklin Williams, was an American steel industry executive known for leading U.S. Steel Corporation and driving industrial expansion during World War II.
Born in Pigeon Run, Ohio, Fairless was adopted by his aunt and uncle, taking their surname. He worked various jobs to fund his education, earning a civil engineering degree from Ohio Northern University. His steel career began at Republic Steel, where his problem-solving skills propelled him to leadership.
He served as President of Carnegie-Illinois Steel Company (1935–38) and later as President, Chairman, and CEO of U.S. Steel (1938–55.) Under his leadership, U.S. Steel played a key role in wartime production, earning him the Medal for Merit (1946.) He oversaw Fairless Works’ construction in Pennsylvania, leading to Fairless Hills’ creation.
Biographies include Joseph F. Wilkinson’s The Fairless Story (1956,) examining his steel industry impact, and Robert S. Gallagher’s Steel Titan: The Life of Benjamin Franklin Fairless (1990,) offering an in-depth look at his leadership.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Benjamin Franklin Fairless
Speakers have been showering us with pearls of wisdom for centuries, and if all of their valuable advice were laid end to end, it would still be just as good as new. Very little of it has ever been used.
—Benjamin Franklin Fairless
Topics: Wisdom
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