Henry A. Wallace

American politician (1888–1965); Vice President of the United States from 1941 to 1945

The Hi-Bred Corn Company, founded in 1926, transformed American agricultural production through the systematic development and marketing of hybrid seed corn. This commercial venture was established by Henry A. Wallace, a man who navigated the highest levels of United States government while simultaneously revolutionizing the scientific principles behind modern farming practices during the early twentieth century.

Agricultural Innovation and Journalism

Born in Orient, Iowa, in 1888, Wallace was raised within a family deeply embedded in agrarian affairs. Following his graduation from Iowa State University in 1910, he pursued dual interests in writing and plant science. He served as an editor for Wallaces' Farmer, the family journal, where he applied mathematical models to economic forecasting and crop yields. His interest in genetics led him to prioritize hybrid corn research, eventually forming a highly successful corporation to market these scientific advancements.

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New Deal Policy and Executive Service

Wallace entered the federal cabinet in 1933 as the United States Secretary of Agriculture, a position he held until 1940. Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, he directed the implementation of New Deal programs aimed at stabilizing farm prices and mitigating rural poverty. His administrative focus on managing agricultural surpluses proved central to his national political profile during the Great Depression.

Vice Presidency and Post-War Politics

In 1941, Wallace assumed the office of Vice President of the United States, serving until 1945. Following his tenure in the vice presidency, he was appointed Secretary of Commerce by President Harry S. Truman. However, this appointment ended in 1946 when Truman dismissed him due to public disagreements regarding diplomatic policy toward the Soviet Union. Wallace subsequently challenged the political establishment in 1948 as the presidential nominee of the Progressive Party, advocating for domestic reforms and international reconciliation.

Final Years

After his departure from elective politics, Wallace focused on private business ventures and horticultural experiments, including work on improved chicken breeds. A member of the American Philosophical Society, he remained active in public discourse until his death in 1965 in Danbury. He is buried at Glendale Cemetery, leaving behind a professional legacy that spanned government administration, statistical economics, and commercial agriculture.