John Foster Dulles

Date of Birth: February 25, 1888

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: May 24, 1959

Biography

John Foster Dulles was an influential American diplomat and public servant who played a significant role in shaping U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War era. Born into a family with a strong tradition of public service, Dulles followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, John Watson Foster, who served as Secretary of State under President Benjamin Harrison. Dulles himself would later serve as Secretary of State from 1953 to 1959 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Known for his staunch anti-communist stance, Dulles was a key architect of U.S. strategy in the early years of the Cold War, advocating for a policy of containment and the formation of alliances such as NATO and SEATO. His career was marked by a commitment to defending Western democracies against the spread of Soviet influence, and his policies have had a lasting impact on international relations.

5 Interesting Facts about John Foster Dulles

1. John Foster Dulles was instrumental in the negotiation of the Treaty of San Francisco, which officially ended World War II between Japan and the Allied Powers.

2. He was an outspoken advocate of “massive retaliation,” a military doctrine designed to deter Soviet aggression with the threat of overwhelming nuclear force.

3. Dulles served as a legal adviser to the U.S. delegation at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, which led to the Treaty of Versailles.

4. He was a partner at the prestigious law firm Sullivan & Cromwell before entering public service.

5. Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C., is named in his honor, reflecting his significant contributions to American diplomacy.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Foster Dulles

1. “The mark of a successful organization isn’t whether it has problems, but whether it has the same problems it had last year.”

2. “The world will never have lasting peace so long as men reserve for war the finest human qualities.”

3. “Our capacity to retaliate must be, and is, massive in order to deter all forms of aggression.”

4. “We walk the tightrope of atomic weapons, and the only thing that keeps us from falling off is vigilance.”

5. “In a world where the total of human knowledge is doubling about every ten years, our security can rest only on our ability to learn.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

John Foster Dulles’ highest net worth achieved is not well-documented, as he was primarily a public servant. However, his position as a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell and his family’s wealth suggest that he was financially comfortable.

Children

John Foster Dulles had three children: 1. John Watson Foster Dulles (1913–2008), a historian specialized in Brazilian history. 2. Lillias Hinshaw Dulles (1914–1987), who married Robert Hinshaw. 3. Avery Dulles (1918–2008), who became a prominent Jesuit priest and a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.