Brown, Walter Folger

views updated Jun 27 2018

BROWN, WALTER FOLGER

Walter Folger Brown was born May 31, 1869, in Massillon, Ohio. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Harvard University in 1892 and attended Harvard Law School from 1893 to 1894.

Brown practiced law from 1894 to 1927 and entered politics in 1921, serving for three years as chairman of the Congressional Joint Committee on Reorganization. In 1927 he became assistant secretary of commerce, and two years later performed the duties of U.S. postmaster general, acting in this capacity until 1933.

Brown's interests and activities in business were numerous and included service as president and chairman of the board of the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad Company.

Brown died January 26, 1961, in Toledo, Ohio.