Harry Hopkins FDR and his trusted advisor Harry Hopkins

(Photo credit: www. GustavoPiga.it) Social Worker, Presidential Advisor to FDR, Administrator of New Deal Programs and Noted Diplomat Representing American Values & Security

Biography

Harry L. Hopkins was born on August 17, 1890, in Sioux City, Iowa, and was the fourth of five children raised by David Aldona and Anna Picket (Georgetown.edu). During his childhood Hopkins lived in Chicago and Nebraska, but at the age of 11 his family returned to Iowa and after high school he attended -- and graduated cum laude from -- Grinnell College in Iowa. That was 1912, and in 1913 he married Ethel Gross; between 1912 and 1933 Hopkins engaged in the field of social work, his passion. When World War I began, Hopkins served as head of the Gulf Division of the American Red Cross, helping the families of soldiers that were sent to war in Europe.

He met Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1928 in New...

Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor were fond of Hopkins right off the bat, and it led to his appointment to positions of authority and to his close association with Roosevelt in the years to come (Geogetown.edu). Hopkins passed away in 1946, after a long struggle with a debilitating disease.
Hopkins' Career in Government

In 1933 Hopkins was appointed (by FDR) head of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (giving relief for hungry and homeless Americans) (Georgetown.edu).

As Civil Works Administrator (New Deal) he created jobs for 4 million men; as Works Progress Administrator (1938) he put 3.5 million people to work (Georgetown.edu).

He helped develop the Social Security System and was appointed by FDR as U.S. Secretary of Commerce; he accompanied FDR to WWII Allied conferences (PBS).

As FDR's representative, he met with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin (PBS).

Following FDR's death. Hopkins…