Henry L. Stimson

Date of Birth: September 21, 1867

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: October 20, 1950

Biography

Henry Lewis Stimson was a prominent American statesman born on September 21, 1867, in New York City. He graduated from Phillips Academy in 1883 and later from Yale University in 1888, where he was a member of the secret society Skull and Bones. He subsequently earned his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1890. Stimson’s career in public service began as a U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1906 to 1909. He served as Secretary of War under President William Howard Taft from 1911 to 1913. During World War I, he was an artillery officer in France. He returned to public service as Governor-General of the Philippines from 1927 to 1929, and later, as Secretary of State under President Herbert Hoover from 1929 to 1933. Stimson is perhaps best known for his tenure as Secretary of War during World War II under Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman from 1940 to 1945. During this period, he oversaw the expansion of the military and played a pivotal role in the development and use of the atomic bomb. He passed away on October 20, 1950, in Huntington, New York.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry L. Stimson

1. Henry Stimson was a key figure in the Manhattan Project, the U.S. endeavor to develop the atomic bomb during World War II.

2. He served in four different presidential administrations, holding significant positions such as Secretary of War and Secretary of State.

3. Stimson was a staunch advocate for the rule of law and international cooperation, which influenced his stance on the establishment of the United Nations.

4. He played a critical role in the decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a decision that remains controversial to this day.

5. Stimson was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to the U.S. military during World War II.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry L. Stimson

1. “The only way to make a man trustworthy is to trust him.”

2. “The chief lesson I have learned in a long life is that the only way you can make a man trustworthy is to trust him; and the surest way to make him untrustworthy is to distrust him and show your distrust.”

3. “I felt that the time had come when we must have a definite policy that would forestall any more of the old, bad, and dangerous diplomacy.”

4. “I am afraid that the ordinary citizen will not like to be told that the banks can and do create money.”

5. “The bomb thus served as a deterrent to the aggressor and as an assurance to the defender.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Henry L. Stimson’s highest net worth is not well-documented as he was primarily a public servant. However, his influence and contributions to American and global politics were invaluable.