Dean Acheson

1893- 1971

American Statesman

Dean Acheson was born on April 11, 1893, in Middletown Connecticut. His father was Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut. He went to Groton School and then Yale University. He received a law degree from Harvard where he became close to Professor later Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter. After graduation, he went to work as a clerk for Frankfurter's friend, Justice Brandies. After working as a clerk for two terms he became a leading lawyer in Washington. In 1933, he joined the government as Under-Secretary of Treasury but resigned due to a policy difference. He joined the State Department in 1941. From 1949 until 1953, Dean Acheson served as American Secretary of State. His tenure was marked by strong US response to Soviet actions worldwide and is known as one of the countries strongest Secretaries of State.