Averil harriman biography

1. Biography of William Averell Harriman
2. Early Life and Business Career
3. Political Career
4. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of William Averell Harriman

William Averell Harriman () was an American diplomat and financier. He served as the US Ambassador to the Soviet Union from to and as the Secretary of Commerce from to Throughout his career, Harriman held various diplomatic and administrative positions from to

Early Life and Business Career

William Averell Harriman was born on November 15, , in New York City. He was the son of Edward Henry Harriman, the founder of a major financial group. Harriman attended Groton School and Yale University, graduating in

In , Harriman and his brother inherited a fortune of $ million, allowing them to gain control over large industrial and banking corporations and double their wealth. In , the Harriman brothers founded the banking firm Harriman Brothers & Co., which later became Braun Brothers & Harriman & Co. after merging with another prominent New York bank in Harriman also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Union Pacific Railroad from to

During and after World War I, the Harriman brothers made significant business ventures, including a partnership with the German steamship company Hamburg-Amerika Line, the acquisition of shares in Austria's largest bank, and the development of a copper deposit in Poland.

Political Career

Harriman began his political career in the s as a member of the Republican Party. However, in , he switched to the Democratic Party. He served as an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt on financial and industrial matters for an extended period.

In , Harriman became a member of the Advisory Committee of Businessmen at the Department of Commerce, and from to , he chaired this committee. In March , he was sent to London for negotiations on lend-lease. In September , he led the US delegation at the Moscow Conference of the Three Powers as an ambassador.

In , Harriman worked on various Allied commissions in London, including the Combined Production and Resources Board. In October , he was appointed as the US Ambassador to the Soviet Union. One of his key responsibilities was to keep President Roosevelt informed about any changes in the Soviet leadership's position. Harriman met frequently with Joseph Stalin, which created an impression of good relations between them. However, when Harriman requested permission from Stalin to use Soviet airfields for the support of the Warsaw Uprising in August , he received a categorical refusal.

Harriman also participated in the Yalta Conference and was part of a trilateral commission tasked with creating a new Polish government. He tried to limit the representation of communists in the government but faced strong opposition from Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov.

After leaving his post as the US Ambassador to the Soviet Union, Harriman served as the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom from April to September He then became the Secretary of Commerce until From to , Harriman led the American administration in Europe to implement the Marshall Plan.

Later Years and Legacy

From to , Harriman served as a special assistant to President Harry S. Truman on foreign policy issues. He then became the head of the Mutual Security Agency from to Harriman was also the Governor of New York from to

In and from to , Harriman held diplomatic positions as a special envoy. From to , he served as the Deputy Secretary of State. Between May and January , Harriman led the US delegation in peace talks on Vietnam in Paris.

Throughout World War II, Harriman's financial group established close ties with banks such as First National City Bank of New York and Morgan Guaranty Trust, among others. Together, they controlled several major American corporations. By , Harriman's group held assets worth over $5 billion, including $ billion in banking and $ billion in industry and transportation.

William Averell Harriman passed away on July 26, , leaving behind a legacy as a prominent American diplomat and financier who played a significant role in US-Soviet relations during and after World War II.