Press Conferences of Henry Morgenthau, Jr., 1933-1945 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Title: Press Conferences of Henry Morgenthau, Jr., 1933-1945

Primary Creator: Henry Morgenthau, Jr.

Extent: 3.14 Cubic Feet

Arrangement: The press conference transcripts are arranged in a single, chronological series.

Henry Morgenthau, Jr., was a Dutchess County neighbor and close friend to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Morgenthau, only son of New York City real estate mogul and diplomat, Henry Morgenthau, Sr., attended Cornell University, studying agriculture. Morgenthau's friendship with FDR began in 1915 when the two shared a common wish to increase rural representation in the New York State Democratic Party.

In 1928, Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Morgenthau Chairman of the New York State Agricultural Advisory Commission and State Conservation Commissioner. Later as President, FDR first appointed Morgenthau Chairman of the Federal Farm Bureau and Farm Credit Administration and then as Secretary of the Treasury, a post he would serve from January 1934 through July 1945. Morgenthau made significant and direct contributions to the New Deal and to the US efforts in World War II. He helped develop the Lend-Lease program of aid to Britain, led the homefront war bond effort, and acted as the driving force in creating the War Refugee Board that resulted in the rescuing of as many as 200,000 Jews from Nazi-occupied countries. He is also widely known for presenting the controversial "Morgenthau Plan" for an agrarian postwar Germany.

Repository: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Access Restrictions: None

Use Restrictions: The writings of Franklin D. Roosevelt within this collection are in the public domain. The official writings of United States government officials within this collection are in the public domain. All other materials are subject to the United States Copyright law, 17 U.S.C. 101, et seq.