W. Averell Harriman

Date of Birth: November 15, 1891

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: July 26, 1986

Biography

William Averell Harriman, commonly known as W. Averell Harriman, was an influential American Democratic politician, businessman, and diplomat. Born into the wealthy and prominent Harriman family, he was the son of railroad baron E.H. Harriman and philanthropist Mary Williamson Averell. Harriman’s extensive career spanned multiple areas of public service, including roles as the U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom, Secretary of Commerce, and Governor of New York. He also served as a key advisor during World War II and the Cold War, playing a significant role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. Harriman’s business acumen was evident through his leadership of the Union Pacific Railroad and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., a prominent investment banking firm. His legacy includes contributions to international diplomacy, economic policy, and the Democratic Party.

5 Interesting Facts about W. Averell Harriman

1. Harriman was a close advisor and confidant to President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II.

2. He played a critical role in the Lend-Lease program, which provided U.S. military aid to Allied nations during World War II.

3. Harriman was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1943 and later to the United Kingdom in 1946.

4. He served as the Governor of New York from 1955 to 1958.

5. Harriman was a key negotiator in the Vietnam peace talks during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from W. Averell Harriman

1. “Great nations are simply the operating fronts of behind-the-scenes, vastly ambitious individuals who had become so effectively powerful because of their ability to remain invisible while operating behind the national scenery.”

2. “The biggest opportunity for the American people is to say goodbye to the past and accept the future.”

3. “Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.”

4. “The essence of peace is to fulfill one’s destiny in harmony with others.”

5. “True diplomacy is more than negotiation; it is the art of understanding.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

W. Averell Harriman’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $100 million at its peak, considering inflation.

Children

W. Averell Harriman had two daughters from his first marriage to Kitty Lanier Lawrence: 1. Mary Averell Harriman (1917–1996) 2. Kathleen Lanier Harriman (1917–2011)