Winant, John G. (John Gilbert), 1889-1947

Variant names

Hide Profile

John Gilbert Winant (1889-1947) was born in New York City. He attended St. Paul''s School in Concord, New Hampshire, and entered Princeton University as a member of the Class of 1913. After withdrawing from Princeton in late 1912, Winant returned to St. Paul''s School as a history teacher. He became active in local politics and was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1917. When the United States entered World War I, Winant enlisted in the American Expeditionary Forces and was assigned to the 1st Aero Squadron. By the time he left the service in 1919, he had risen to the rank of Captain of the 8th Aero Squadron. After the war he returned to St. Paul''s School as a teacher and Second Vice-Rector. He re-entered New Hampshire politics in 1920 and was elected to a term in the State Senate. Later he served a second term in the House and three terms as Governor of the state from 1925 to 1926 and from 1931 to 1934. Throughout his career, Winant was interested in social and labor legislation. During his time as governor, the State Legislature passed a Minimum Wage bill, a State Relief bill, and Aid to Dependent Children bill and established a State Planning Board. Winant also unsuccessfully supported the passage of a 48-Hour bill. In 1931 he proposed the "New Hampshire Plan" which urged a nationwide four-day workweek as a means of solving the nation''s economic ills. At this time Winant was also active in the National Recreation Association, the National Consumers'' League, the American Association for Labor Legislation and the Young Men''s Christian Association. Although he was a Republican, Winant became a supporter of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal policies, and in 1934, Roosevelt appointed him to an Advisory Council to the Committee on Economic Security, which assisted the Labor Department in drafting national social security legislation. Successful intervention in the 1933 textile workers strike in Manchester, New Hampshire, made Winant an appropriate choice to head a Special Board of Inquiry into the United Textile Workers'' Strike of 1934. His work on this committee gave rise to a movement to have him nominated as the 1936 GOP Presidential candidate. Winant refused to run for the Presidency or for a fourth term as governor. Instead, he accepted the post of Assistant Director of the International Labor Office in Geneva in April 1935 but stayed in Geneva only a few months before returning to Washington to become the first chairman of the Social Security Board. Continuing his contacts with the International Labor Organization (ILO), Winant served as chairman of the American Delegation to the 1936 Labor Conference in Geneva. After Landon attacked the Social Security Act during the 1936 Presidential campaign, Winant resigned as Chairman of the Social Security Board to freely defend the Act and President Roosevelt; he later returned to the Chairmanship. Resigning from the Board a second time in early 1937, he returned to Geneva as Assistant Director of the I.L.O. He was made Director of the organization in February 1939. With the start of the World War II, Winant assured the continuance of the ILO by engineering the transfer of the Office to Montreal. President Roosevelt appointed Winant to replace Joseph P. Kennedy as Ambassador to Great Britain in 1941, and he advocated greater aid to Great Britain and Russia before the United States officially entered the war. He was extremely popular with the British people; however, his authority as Ambassador was often overshadowed by the dispatch of special missions to London and the personal relationship which developed between President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill. Winant was also interested in post-war planning, particularly as it affected Russia, and in November 1943 was named as United States representative on the European Advisory Commission, which considered post-war treatment of Germany. Early in 1946, President Truman appointed Winant to be the United States representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, which dealt with refugees, displaced persons and other post-war problems. Resigning as Ambassador, Winant returned to the United States in May 1946. He continued to serve on the Economic and Social Council until January 1947. Then officially retired, Winant accepted the chairmanship of National Brotherhood Week in February 1947, making an exhausting cross-country speech-making tour. At that time he was also working on a series of books describing his ambassadorial experiences. He completed the first volume, entitled Letter from Grosvenor Square, and had begun work on the second at the time of this death on November 3, 1947.

From the description of Winant, John G. (John Gilbert), 1889-1947 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10677885

Epithet: US diplomatist

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001219.0x000032

Governor of New Hampshire, federal official, diplomat.

From the description of Papers, 1916-1947. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155525256

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf John Gilbert Winant Papers. 1916 - 1947. Printed Materials Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
creatorOf Vol. CXVIII (ff. 389). Sept. 1941-June 1942.includes:ff. 1-3, 35, 39 Anne E. Robinson, wife of N L Robinson; Secretary, League of Nations Union, Darlington Branch: Correspondence between Lord Cecil and Anne E. Robinson: 1941.f. 4 Herbert Stanley ... British Library
creatorOf Vol. XVI (ff. 223+58*, 58**, 143*, 143**). 1945.includes:f. 1 Admiral Sir Bertram Home Ramsay, KCB: Letter to Adm. Lord Cunningham: 1945: Signed. f. 4 Field-Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell: Letter to Adm. Lord Cunningham: 1945: Sig..., 1945 British Library
referencedIn Harrison, Leland, 1883-1951. Papers of Leland Harrison, 1915-1947 (bulk 1918-1921). Library of Congress
referencedIn Papers of Grace A. Johnson in the Woman's Rights Collection, 1840-1952 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Additional papers, (inclusive), (bulk), 1840-1978, 1920-1960 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Records of the Foreign Service Posts of the Department of State. 1788 - 1991. Correspondence to Ambassador John Gilbert Winant National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Vol. XVII (ff. 175). 1946.includes:ff. 1, 80 Charles Frederick Algernon Portal, 1st Viscount Portal: Letters to Adm. Lord Cunningham: 1946.ff. 2, 21 Admiral John Cronyn Tovey, 1st Baron Tovey: Letters to Adm. Lord Cunningham: 1946: Partly signed...., 1946 British Library
referencedIn National Broadcasting Company, inc. National Broadcasting Company, inc. selected radio broadcasts, 1935-1950 [sound recording]. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Johnson, Ethel McLean, 1882-1978. Additional papers, 1840-1978 (inclusive), 1920-1960 (bulk). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Greaves, Prof Harold Richard Goring, 1942-1953 Senate House Library (University of London)
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company correspondence and records, 1832-1944. Houghton Library
referencedIn Clarke, John M. (John McLane), 1920-1950. Papers, [ca. 1931-1950]. Dartmouth College Library
referencedIn United States Foreign Relations During World War II, 1975-1978 Indiana University, Bloomington. Center for the Study of History and Memory
creatorOf Vol. CXXI (ff. 325). 1944.includes:ff. 1, 7, 53, 54 Sir Herbert William Malkin, GCMG: Correspondence between Lord Cecil and Sir Herbert William Malkin: 1940-1944: Signed.ff. 4-322v passim Edmund Phipson Beale, Pro-Chancellor of Birmingham Univers..., 1944 British Library
referencedIn Johnson, Ethel McLean, 1882-1978. Papers, 1862-1978 (inclusive), 1908-1964 (bulk). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Papers of Grace A. Johnson in the Woman's Rights Collection, 1840-1952 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf John Gilbert Winant Papers. 1916 - 1947. Speeches and Writings Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
referencedIn American Association for Labor Legislation. Series 1, Subseries 7. Correspondence, 1935-1940. [microform] Cornell University Library
referencedIn Witte, Edwin E. (Edwin Emil), 1887-1960. Edwin E. Witte papers, 1903-1970. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Kermit Roosevelt and Belle Roosevelt Papers, 1725-1975, (bulk 1900-1964) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Papers, 1912-1960. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company contracts, 1831-1979 (inclusive) 1880-1940 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Robert E. Sherwood papers, 1917-1968 (inclusive), 1934-1955 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf John Gilbert Winant Papers. 1916 - 1947. New Hampshire Second Term Governorship Papers Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
creatorOf Winant, John G. (John Gilbert), 1889-1947. Copies of Ambassador Winnant's speeches : typescripts, 1941-1945. Princeton University Library
referencedIn Oswald Garrison Villard papers Houghton Library
referencedIn The Nation, records, 1879-1974 (inclusive), 1920-1955 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Dietrich-Berryman, Eric. Papers, 1916 -2004. Naval War College, Henry E. Eccles Library
creatorOf Vol. CXVII (ff. 424). Feb.-Aug. 1941.includes:ff. 1, 8 Mrs E. M. White, professional indexer; of Radlett: Correspondence between Lord Cecil and Mrs E. M. White: 1941. f. 3 David Marshall Mason, MP; founder, Sound Currency Association: Letters to Lord... British Library
referencedIn Mark Anthony De Wolfe Howe additional papers Houghton Library
creatorOf John Gilbert Winant Papers. 1916 - 1947. Ambassador to Great Britain Papers Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
referencedIn Bass, Robert P. (Robert Perkins), 1873-1960. Papers, 1849-1959. Dartmouth College Library
creatorOf John Gilbert Winant Papers. 1916 - 1947. Education and Early Life Papers Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
creatorOf John Gilbert Winant Papers. 1916 - 1947. New Hampshire Third Term Governorship Papers Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
creatorOf John Gilbert Winant Papers. 1916 - 1947. Post-Ambassadorial Papers Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
creatorOf Vol. XV (ff. 209+9*). July 1943-1944.includes:ff. 1, 18 Admiral Sir William Edmund Goodenough, KCB: Letters to Adm. Sir A. B. Cunningham: 1943. f. 3 Henri Honoré Giraud, French general: Letter to Adm. Sir A. B. Cunningham: 1943: Fr. f. 4 Arthur Willi... British Library
creatorOf Hetzel, Ralph Dorn, 1882-1947. Ralph Dorn Hetzel papers, 1882-1947 (bulk 1917-1947). Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf John Gilbert Winant Papers. 1916 - 1947. International Labor Organization Papers Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
creatorOf Papers, 1916-1947. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf John Gilbert Winant Papers. 1916 - 1947. Card File Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
referencedIn Bane, Frank, 1893-. Public administration and public welfare [manuscript] 1965. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn National Consumers' League Records, 1882-1986, (bulk 1920-1950) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company correspondence, 1881-1981 (inclusive), 1940-1979 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Smith, Hilda Worthington, 1888-. Papers, 1837-1975 (inclusive), 1900-1975 (bulk). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf John Gilbert Winant Papers. 1916 - 1947. Post-Governorship Papers Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
referencedIn National Broadcasting Company, Inc. Selected radio broadcasts, 1935-1950. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives
creatorOf Vol. CXX (ff. 402). March-Dec. 1943.includes:ff. 1-3, 17, 100 Isabella Caroline Henson, wife of H Hensley Henson, Bishop of Durham: Correspondence between Lord Cecil and Isabella Caroline Henson: 1943.f. 4 Philip Styles, historian, of Birmingham ... British Library
referencedIn Papers relating to John Gilbert Winant, 1924-1963. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Papers, 1837 (1900-1975) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Robert E. Sherwood papers, 1917-1968 (inclusive), 1934-1955 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf John Gilbert Winant Papers. 1916 - 1947. Scrapbooks Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
referencedIn Official Files (Truman Administration). 1945 - 1953. Official Files . 1945 - 1953. Economic and Social Council (United Nations), OF 85q. 1945 - 1953. Letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman Library
Relation Name
associatedWith Altmeyer, Arthur Joseph, 1891- person
associatedWith American Association for Labor Legislation. corporateBody
associatedWith Bane, Frank, 1893- person
associatedWith Bass, Robert P. (Robert Perkins), 1873-1960. person
associatedWith Bellush, Bernard, 1917- person
associatedWith Clarke, John M. (John McLane), 1920-1950. person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
associatedWith Dietrich-Berryman, Eric. person
associatedWith Ethel McLean Johnson, 1882-1978 person
associatedWith Goodrich, Carter, 1897-1971. person
associatedWith Grace Allen (Fitch) Johnson, 1871-1952 person
associatedWith Harrison, Leland, 1883-1951. person
associatedWith Hetzel, Ralph Dorn, 1882-1947. person
associatedWith Hilda Worthington Smith, 1888-1984 person
associatedWith Houghton Mifflin Company. corporateBody
correspondedWith Howe, M. A. De Wolfe (Mark Antony De Wolfe), 1864-1960 person
associatedWith Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory corporateBody
associatedWith International Labour Office. corporateBody
associatedWith Johnson, Ethel McLean, 1882-1978. person
associatedWith Johnson, Grace A., 1871-1952. person
associatedWith Johnson, Herschel. person
associatedWith Lape, Esther Everett, 1881-1981. person
associatedWith Laski, Harold Joseph, 1893-1950. person
associatedWith Lubin, Isador, 1896-1978. person
associatedWith MacLeish, Archibald, 1892-1982. person
associatedWith Morgenthau, Henry, 1891-1967. person
associatedWith Murrow, Edward R. person
associatedWith National Broadcasting Company, inc. corporateBody
associatedWith National Consumers' League. corporateBody
correspondedWith Nation (New York, N.Y. : 1865). corporateBody
associatedWith New Hampshire. Governor (1925-1926 : Winant) corporateBody
associatedWith Pell, Herbert Claiborne, 1884-1961. person
associatedWith Roosevelt, Belle, 1892-1968 person
associatedWith Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962. person
associatedWith Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945. person
associatedWith Roosevelt, Kermit, 1889-1943. person
associatedWith Rosenman, Samuel Irving, 1896-1973. person
associatedWith Sherwood, Robert E. (Robert Emmet), 1896-1955 person
associatedWith Smith, Hilda Worthington, 1888- person
associatedWith United States. Social Security Board. corporateBody
correspondedWith Villard, Oswald Garrison, 1872-1949 person
associatedWith Witte, Edwin E. (Edwin Emil), 1887-1960. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States of America
Iran, Asia Minor
India, Asia
Crete, Greece
New Hampshire
Sicily, Italy
Great Britain
United States
United States
Subject
Speeches, addresses, etc.
Child welfare
Diplomatic and consular service, American
Governor
Labor and laboring classes
Labor and laboring classes
Radio broadcasts
Social security
Occupation
Diplomats
Public officers
Activity

Person

Birth 1889-02-23

Death 1947-11-03

Americans

English

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68053h5

Ark ID: w68053h5

SNAC ID: 29976550