Henry Agard Wallace
From Rofflehaus
Henry Agard Wallace (October 7, 1888 – November 18, 1976) is called by his biographers as "Iowa's greatest son". He served as vice-president during Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1941-1945 term, U.S. secretary of agriculture from 1933 to 1940, and U.S. secretary of commerce in 1945 to 1946.
Besides his political acheivements, Wallace is known for his scientific work in crop production and genetics which revolutionized world agriculture.
Born in on a farm in Adair County, near Orient, on October 7, 1888 and died in Danbury, Conn., on November 18, 1965 due to Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Developed an interest in agriculture and plants at the age of 6 and in 1935, helped found Hybrid Corn Co., which became Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Co.
Enrolled at ISU from 1906 to 1910, graduating with a BS in agriculture.
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[edit] Politics
Then-president Harry Truman, whom FDR chose to replace Wallace as vice-president, forced Wallace out of his cabinet position in 1946. Wallace ran for president in 1948 for the Progressive party and received a million votes and no electoral votes.
Wallace was removed from his vice-presidency after a disasterous trip to the Soviet Union, when the Russians hoodwinked him by covering up the true nature of a slave labor camp at Magadan.
Truman forced Wallace out for his apologetic views on the USSR.
His presidential campaign was heavily damaged by revelations that he had fallen into a cult run by con man Nicholas Roerich.
[edit] Trivia
- Was a free mason.
- Never drank or swore and was never seen to kiss his wife in public. A politician remarked: "Henry's the sort that keeps you guessing as to whether he's going to deliver a sermon or wet the bed." When Wallace moved into the vice-presidential office, he removed the stocked-bar and urinal his predecessor had placed there.
- Wallace Hall and a Des Moines state government building bears his name.
- His father was Henry Cantwell Wallace, a ISU alum of 1893 and who also served as U.S. secretary of agriculture.
[edit] Quotes
About George Washington Carver:
- Because of his friendship with my father and perhaps his interest in children George Carver often took me with him on botany expeditions, and it was he who first introduced me to the mysteries of plant fertilization. He seemed to have a great sympathy with me... Later on I was to have an intimate acquaintance with plants myself, because I spent a good many years breeding corn. Perhaps that was partly because this scientist, who belonged to another race, had deepened my appreciation of plants in a way I could never forget. Certainly because of his faith I became interested in things that today give me a distinct pleasure. I feel I must pay him this debt of gratitude.
[edit] External links
- Free mason biography
- Who was Henry A. Wallace by Arthur Schlesinger Jr.
- The Des Moines Register Famous Iowans profile of Wallace
- Special collections at Parks Library
[edit] News articles
- The article, ISU alumnus Wallace was leader in agriculture, in the 11/09, 1999 edition of the Iowa State Daily is still unavailable due to a change in the Daily's website and general laziness of Rofflehaus contributors. If you'd like to help fix a broken link like this, check out Template talk:ISUD to find out how. Thank you for your patience. (D: 11/09/1999)
