Henry A. Wallace was a journalist, author, public servant, agriculturist, scientist, statesman, and humanitarian who acted with foresight and principle for the good of all.
"If I were to draw conclusions from my life so far, I would say that the purpose of existence here on earth is to improve the quality and the abundance of joyous living."
--Henry A. Wallace
The following are significant dates in his life:
- October 7, 1888, born in Adair County, Iowa.
- 1906-1910, Attended and graduated from Iowa State College at Ames.
- 1910-1921, Associate Editor of Wallaces Farmer.
- 1921-1933, Editor of Wallaces Farmer.
- 1933-1940, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In that position, he initiated many New Deal programs, including rural electrification and the food stamp program. He developed crop subsidy and soil conservation programs that benefited the farm program for at least six decades.
- 1941-1945, U.S. Vice President under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- 1945-1946, U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Harry S. Truman.
- 1948, Presidential Candidate for the Progressive Party.
- 1950, Wallace left public life.
- 1904-1965, Scientist and hybrid seed corn developer. Founder of Pioneer Hi-Bred International in 1926, which became the world's leading seed corn company.
- November 18, 1965, died at a hospital in Danbury, Connecticut of Lou Gehrig's disease.
At his death, Orville Freeman, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, wrote the following about Wallace.
"He was one of the giants or our times. He never feared controversy, for his constant purpose was to do things which make life worthwhile. He was foremost an innovator. As a scientist, he will be remembered for his pioneering work in the development of hybrid corn and other plants. As a public servant, he will be remembered as the father of modern agricultural policy. As an author and journalist, he will be remembered for his efforts to show the interdependency of the farm and the city."
1888-1965
