 |
| Campaign pamphlets illustrating Herter's state and congressional service, as well as a dinner program celebrating his gubernatorial victory. |
Here’s a short timeline of Herter’s life and the political seats to which he was elected or appointed in Massachusetts and beyond:
- March 28, 1895: Christian Archibald Herter was born in Paris, France to expatriate parents.
- 1915: Graduated from Harvard University.
- Jan. 1931-Jan. 1943: Served as a republican state representative for the 5th Suffolk district; during the latter part of his tenure he was also appointed Speaker of the House.
- Jan. 1943-Jan. 1953: Served the 10th Massachusetts congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Jan. 1953-Jan. 1957: Served for one term as Governor of Massachusetts.
- Feb. 1957-Apr. 1959: Served as Under Secretary of State, appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
- Apr. 1959-Jan. 1961: Served as Secretary of State, appointed by Eisenhower.
- Dec. 1962-Dec. 1966 (his death): Served as the first United States Trade Representative, appointed by President John F. Kennedy.
I also came across a very fragile comic book in our collection that criticizes Herter’s political record and asks its readers to instead vote for then-gubernatorial incumbent and Democrat Paul Dever. The comic book was published by Massachusetts United Labor in 1952 during Herter’s campaign and refers to the governor hopeful as a “reactionary” and a man who “cannot wish to stand on his record.” Dever ultimately lost the election to Herter and retired from political life.For more information on Christian Herter’s life and career, please visit:
https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/herter-christian-archibald
Kaitlin Connolly
Reference Librarian
