Harold D. Smith
Encyclopedia
Harold Dewey Smith was an American civil servant who served as director of the United States Bureau of the Budget (now the Office of Management and Budget) during the Second World War
.
Born in Haven, Kansas
, Smith was the son of James William Smith and his wife, Miranda, née Ebling. After serving in the United States Navy
during the First World War
, Smith attended the University of Kansas
, where he earned a degree in engineering, and the University of Michigan
, where he received an A.M.
in public administration. Upon graduating from the University of Michigan, Smith returned to Kansas, where he worked for the League of Kansas Municipalities for three years. In 1928, Smith moved back to Michigan to serve as the first director of the Michigan Municipal League
. From 1934 until 1937, he was also Director of Government at the University of Michigan.
In 1937, Smith left both the Michigan Municipal League and the University of Michigan to become the Budget Director for the state of Michigan. In 1939, he was selected by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
to serve as the Director of the Bureau of the Budget. Smith served in that position for seven years, during which time he handled the enormous expansion of spending resulting from American participation in the Second World War. He resigned from the position in June 1946 to become the vice president of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
, but died shortly thereafter in Culpeper, Virginia
. After his death, his widow donated all of his papers to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
.
Listing for the Harold D. Smith Papers at the Truman Library
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Born in Haven, Kansas
Haven, Kansas
Haven is a city in Reno County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,237.-History:The Reno County Museum was originally located in Haven.-Geography:Haven is located at...
, Smith was the son of James William Smith and his wife, Miranda, née Ebling. After serving in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Smith attended the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
, where he earned a degree in engineering, and the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, where he received an A.M.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in public administration. Upon graduating from the University of Michigan, Smith returned to Kansas, where he worked for the League of Kansas Municipalities for three years. In 1928, Smith moved back to Michigan to serve as the first director of the Michigan Municipal League
Michigan Municipal League
The Michigan Municipal League is a nonprofit association of municipalities and municipal leaders in the State of Michigan. The group banded in 1899 under the motto “Cooperation solves any problem” to reflect the organizers’ combined purposes: exchange of information, shared learning, development...
. From 1934 until 1937, he was also Director of Government at the University of Michigan.
In 1937, Smith left both the Michigan Municipal League and the University of Michigan to become the Budget Director for the state of Michigan. In 1939, he was selected by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
to serve as the Director of the Bureau of the Budget. Smith served in that position for seven years, during which time he handled the enormous expansion of spending resulting from American participation in the Second World War. He resigned from the position in June 1946 to become the vice president of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development is one of five institutions that compose the World Bank Group. The IBRD is an international organization whose original mission was to finance the reconstruction of nations devastated by World War II. Now, its mission has expanded to fight...
, but died shortly thereafter in Culpeper, Virginia
Culpeper, Virginia
Culpeper is an incorporated town in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States. The population was 9,664 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Culpeper County. Culpeper is part of the Culpeper Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Culpeper County. Both the Town of Culpeper and...
. After his death, his widow donated all of his papers to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, New York is the first presidential library built in the United States. It was conceived and built under the direction of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt from 1939 to 1940.- History :...
.
Further reading
Paul H. Appleby, "Harold D. Smith-Public Administrator" American Society for Public AdministrationListing for the Harold D. Smith Papers at the Truman Library