Robert E. Hannegan

Robert E. Hannegan
Born	(1903-06-30)June 30, 1903 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died	October 6, 1949(1949-10-06) (aged 46) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Known for	Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, Postmaster General of the United States, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee

Robert Emmet Hannegan (June 30, 1903 – October 6, 1949) was an influential American politician and lawyer from Missouri. He served as the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, Postmaster General of the United States, and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee during his career. Hannegan played a significant role in the administration of President Harry S. Truman and was instrumental in Truman's rise to the presidency in 1945.

Early Life and Education

Robert E. Hannegan was born in St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended local schools. He graduated from St. Louis University School of Law, where he earned his law degree.

Career

Hannegan's career in public service began in the legal field, where he worked as an attorney in St. Louis. His political career started when he became involved with the Democratic Party, where he quickly rose through the ranks due to his skills in organization and campaign management.

Internal Revenue Service

In 1943, Hannegan was appointed as the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. During his tenure, he oversaw the implementation of tax policies critical to funding World War II efforts.

Postmaster General

In 1945, Hannegan was appointed Postmaster General of the United States by President Harry S. Truman. As Postmaster General, he was responsible for overseeing the United States Postal Service during a time of post-war adjustment.

Democratic National Committee

Hannegan's most notable role came when he served as the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1944 to 1947. He was a key figure in the 1944 election, where he played a significant role in securing the nomination of Harry S. Truman for the vice presidency. This decision was pivotal when Truman succeeded to the presidency after Roosevelt's death in 1945.

Death and Legacy

Robert E. Hannegan died on October 6, 1949, in Los Angeles, California. His contributions to American politics, particularly during the Roosevelt and Truman administrations, left a lasting impact on the Democratic Party and the administrative policies of the time.

See also

• History of the Democratic Party (United States)
• United States Postmaster General
• List of people from St. Louis