Edward Reilly Stettinius Jr. (1900–49) was an American businessman and statesman, best known as U.S. Secretary of State (1944–45) under Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. He played a crucial role in World War II diplomacy and helped establish the United Nations.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Stettinius attended the University of Virginia but did not complete his degree. He began at General Motors, quickly rising to vice president of public and industrial relations. In 1934, he joined U.S. Steel, becoming chairman in 1938.
During World War II, Stettinius was named Administrator of the Lend-Lease Program (1941,) overseeing aid to Allied nations. He later became Under Secretary of State (1943–44) before succeeding Cordell Hull. A key figure at the Yalta Conference (1945,) he led the U.S. delegation to the San Francisco Conference, which created the United Nations Charter. After resigning, he became the first U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (1946) but left public service in 1947.
His notable publication, Roosevelt and the Russians: The Yalta Conference (1949,) offers an insider’s perspective on wartime diplomacy.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Edward Stettinius, Jr.
Happiness has many roots, but none more important than security.
—Edward Stettinius, Jr.
Topics: Happiness, Security
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