Kennedy, Joseph Patrick

views updated May 14 2018

Kennedy, Joseph Patrick (1888–1969) US businessman and statesman. He was chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (1934–35) and later ambassador to Great Britain (1937–40). He was involved in many philanthropic endeavours, especially the Joseph P. Kennedy Memorial Foundation. He was determined that his sons, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Edward Kennedy, should enter politics.