# W. Averell Harriman > American businessman, politician and diplomat (1891–1986) **Wikidata**: [Q345531](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q345531) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Averell_Harriman) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/w-averell-harriman ## Summary W. Averell Harriman (1891–1986) was an American businessman, politician, and diplomat who served in multiple high-level positions across government and private enterprise throughout the mid-20th century. He is best known for his roles as a key administrator of the Lend-Lease program during World War II, Governor of New York, and Ambassador to the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. Harriman's career spanned railroad executive leadership, federal government service, and international diplomacy, making him one of the most versatile and influential figures in American public life during the Roosevelt and Truman administrations. ## Biography - **Born**: November 15, 1891 - **Died**: July 26, 1986 - **Nationality**: American (United States) - **Education**: Groton School (1884); Yale University (1701); Skull and Bones (1832, undergraduate secret society at Yale) - **Known for**: Administering Lend-Lease aid to Allied nations during WWII; serving as U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union and United Kingdom; serving as Governor of New York; leading Union Pacific Railroad - **Employer(s)**: Union Pacific Corporation; Council on Foreign Relations (1921); Club of Rome (1968); American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1780) - **Field(s)**: Business; Politics; Diplomacy ## Contributions - **Railroad Leadership**: Served as chairman and president of Union Pacific Corporation, one of America's major railroad companies - **Lend-Lease Administration**: Appointed as administrator of the Lend-Lease program during World War II, overseeing the shipment of billions of dollars in military aid to Allied nations including Britain, the Soviet Union, and China - **Diplomatic Service**: Served as U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1943–1946) and Ambassador to the United Kingdom (1946) - **Political Leadership**: Served as Governor of New York (1955–1958) - **Foreign Policy Advisory**: Held positions with the Council on Foreign Relations since its inception in 1921 - **Think Tank Involvement**: Member of the Club of Rome since its founding in 1968 ## FAQs **What were W. Averell Harriman's most prominent government positions?** Harriman held several senior government posts, including Administrator of the Lend-Lease program during WWII, U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1943 to 1946, U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1946, and Governor of New York from 1955 to 1958. **What business roles did W. Averell Harriman hold?** Harriman served as chairman and president of Union Pacific Corporation, one of the major American transcontinental railroads. He came from a wealthy family with significant railroad interests through the Union Pacific and other rail enterprises. **What awards and honors did W. Averell Harriman receive?** Harriman was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' joint-highest civilian award, and the Four Freedoms Award – Freedom Medal in 1982. He also received the Soviet Order of the Patriotic War, a military decoration of the Soviet Union established in 1942. **What was W. Averell Harriman's educational background?** Harriman attended Groton School in Massachusetts, a prestigious preparatory school founded in 1884. He then attended Yale University, graduating in 1913, where he was a member of the secret society Skull and Bones, founded in 1832. **What was Harriman's role in World War II?** As administrator of the Lend-Lease program, Harriman oversaw the massive effort to provide military and economic aid to Allied nations fighting the Axis powers. He played a critical role in coordinating aid to Britain, the Soviet Union, and China, negotiating the historic Second Protocol with the Soviet Union in 1942. ## Why They Matter W. Averell Harriman matters as one of the most consequential American figures of the mid-20th century, whose influence spanned business, politics, and diplomacy at the highest levels. His administration of the Lend-Lease program during World War II was instrumental in sustaining the Allied war effort, providing over $50 billion in aid to nations fighting Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. His diplomatic service as ambassador to both the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom placed him at the center of critical wartime and postwar negotiations, including the historic meeting between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin at the Tehran Conference in 1943. As Governor of New York, Harriman presided over a state that was then the nation's most populous, implementing policies that influenced national Democratic Party politics. His membership in the Council on Foreign Relations since its founding in 1921 placed him at the heart of American foreign policy thinking for decades, while his involvement with the Club of Rome from 1968 reflected his continued engagement with global policy issues in his later years. Harriman's legacy represents the archetype of the American businessman-diplomat who moved seamlessly between private enterprise and public service. His ability to navigate the intersection of government, business, and international relations made him a key figure in shaping American foreign policy during some of the most consequential decades of the 20th century. Without his leadership in administering Lend-Lease, the Allied war effort might have been significantly weakened, and his diplomatic contributions helped establish the foundations of the postwar international order. ## Notable For - One of the few Americans to serve as ambassador to both the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom - Administrator of the Lend-Lease program, which provided over $50 billion in aid to Allied nations during WWII - Governor of New York (1955–1958) - Chairman of Union Pacific Railroad - Member of Skull and Bones secret society at Yale University - Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom - Recipient of the Soviet Order of the Patriotic War - Founding member of the Council on Foreign Relations (1921) - Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (founded 1780) - Member of the Club of Rome (since 1968) ## Body ### Early Life and Education William Averell Harriman was born on November 15, 1891, into one of America's wealthiest and most influential families. The Harriman family had built a vast fortune through railroad ownership and financial investments, providing young Averell with significant resources and social connections. He received his early education at Groton School in Massachusetts, an elite preparatory institution founded in 1884 that counted among its alumni numerous future American leaders. Following his secondary education, Harriman enrolled at Yale University in 1913, where he became a member of Skull and Bones, the prestigious undergraduate secret society. This organization, founded in 1832, would later produce numerous influential Americans in government, business, and finance. The connections and network Harriman developed at Yale would prove invaluable throughout his career. ### Business Career Harriman's professional career began in the family business, particularly in the railroad industry. He became chairman and president of Union Pacific Corporation, one of America's major transcontinental railroad companies. Under his leadership, Union Pacific maintained its position as a critical component of American transportation infrastructure. His business acumen and management skills, developed within the family enterprise, prepared him for the larger responsibilities he would assume in government service. ### Government Service During World War II Harriman's most significant contribution to American history came during World War II, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him as administrator of the Lend-Lease program. This massive initiative, authorized by the Lend-Lease Act of 1941, provided military and economic assistance to Allied nations fighting the Axis powers. Harriman was responsible for overseeing the shipment of billions of dollars in aid to Britain, the Soviet Union, China, and other Allied nations. In this role, Harriman demonstrated exceptional diplomatic and organizational skills. He traveled extensively to coordinate with Allied leaders, participating in major wartime conferences and negotiations. His performance in these demanding assignments led to his appointment as Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1943, making him one of the highest-ranking Americans to serve in that capacity during the war. ### Diplomatic Service As U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1943 to 1946, Harriman was present during some of the most critical moments of the wartime alliance and the early Cold War period. He negotiated the historic Second Protocol with the Soviet Union in 1942, which committed the United States to providing substantial aid to the Soviet war effort. His relationships with Soviet leaders, including Joseph Stalin, provided valuable insights into Soviet intentions and capabilities. Following his service in Moscow, Harriman was appointed Ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1946, where he continued to work on strengthening the "Special Relationship" between the United States and Britain. His diplomatic service during this period placed him at the center of the emerging postwar international order and the beginnings of the Cold War. ### Political Career After his diplomatic service, Harriman entered electoral politics. He was elected Governor of New York in 1954, serving from 1955 to 1958. As Governor, he presided over the nation's most populous state during a period of significant growth and change. His administration focused on various state issues, and his tenure as Governor further established his credentials as a major figure in the Democratic Party. ### Later Life and Organizations Throughout his life, Harriman maintained involvement in numerous organizations shaping American foreign policy and intellectual life. As a founding member of the Council on Foreign Relations since 1921, he contributed to the development of American foreign policy thinking for decades. The Council, established in the aftermath of World War I, became one of the nation's most influential foreign policy think tanks. Harriman was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the prestigious honorary society founded in 1780. Additionally, he joined the Club of Rome upon its founding in 1968, a political and economic think tank based in Switzerland that focused on global policy issues. ### Awards and Recognition Harriman's service to his country was recognized with numerous honors. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian award, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the nation. In 1982, he was awarded the Four Freedoms Award – Freedom Medal, an American award recognizing individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the principles of freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Perhaps uniquely, Harriman also received the Soviet Order of the Patriotic War, a military decoration established by the Soviet Union in 1942. This award recognized his contributions to the Allied war effort and his role in coordinating Lend-Lease aid to the Soviet Union during the critical years of the German invasion. ### Legacy W. Averell Harriman's legacy encompasses multiple dimensions of American public life. As a businessman, he helped maintain and develop one of America's great railroad enterprises. As a wartime administrator, he played a crucial role in the Allied victory through his management of Lend-Lease. As a diplomat, he helped navigate the complexities of wartime alliances and the emergence of the Cold War. As a politician, he served as Governor of the nation's most populous state. His career exemplifies the close relationship between American business and government that characterized the mid-20th century, and his contributions helped shape the international order that emerged from World War II. The relationships he built, the policies he implemented, and the institutions he helped strengthen continued to influence American foreign policy long after his retirement from public service. Harriman died on July 26, 1986, leaving behind a legacy of public service that spanned some of the most consequential decades in American and world history. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. BnF authorities 3. Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America 4. LIBRIS. 2003 5. The Peerage 6. [Source](https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47639) 7. International Standard Name Identifier 8. Virtual International Authority File 9. CiNii Research 10. 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