Spingarn, Stephen J. (Stephen Joel), 1908-1984

Stephen Joel Spingarn (1908-1984) was an administrative assistant to President Harry S. Truman in 1949 and 1950. He was a member of the Federal Trade Commission from 1950 to 1953, and a member of the Small Business Advisory Committee of the Democratic National Committee in 1956.

Stephen Spingarn was the son of Joel E. Spingarn (1875-1939), former professor comparative literature at Columbia University, political activist and civil rights advocate, and founder of the publishing firm of Harcourt, Brace and Company and its literary adviser from 1919 to 1932. Joel E. Spingarn, who was also deeply involved in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, established the organization's Spingarn Medal and served as president of the NAACP from 1930 until his death in 1939. The younger Spingarn served as administrative assistant to President Harry S. Truman (1949-1950). As administrative assistant Spingarn helped draft the Truman Administration's omnibus civil rights bill. In 1950 Truman appointed Spingarn to the Federal Trade Commission. For additional biographical data consult: Who's Who in America (1938) and Who's Who in American Politics, vol. 4. For Spingarn's role in the Truman Administration see Donald R. McCoy, Quest and Response (Lawrence, University Press of Kansas, 1973).

Administrative assistant to President Truman.

Administrative Assistant to President Harry S. Truman.

Government official.