Biographical Directory of the United States Executive Branch, 1774-1989

Completely revised and updated, this Directory now includes biographies of members of the executive branch who have served since 1977. There are more than 20% more biographies in this work than in the last edition. Where appropriate, older entries have been updated. The Directory contains career biographies of all cabinet heads, as well as of presidents, vice-presidents, and presidents of the Continental Congress. All individuals confirmed in office by the Senate have been included. Each biography includes the most significant dates in the subject's life, family and other personal information, religious affiliation where available, service prior to and after cabinet duty, and place of death and interment. In addition, each biography contains a short bibliographic reference to important primary and secondary works to be consulted for additional information. Indexes, consisting of tables to enable the researcher to more easily relate the individual to his times and place and service, are included. More than 650 men and women have served in the cabinets of American presidents. Researchers in American political history who have adequate library facilities at their disposal may discover basic information about most of them without too much difficulty. For those who wish to make a study of a particular department or administration, the effort may be tedious and time-consuming. It is for individuals such as these, as well as for the general student of political history, that this volume has been compiled and written.