W. Averell Harriman belongs to the commercial record as a figure whose ventures outlasted the conditions that produced them.
The record lists W. Averell Harriman as American businessman, politician and diplomat (1891–1986).
W. Averell Harriman was born at New York City in 1891. His recorded nationality is United States. He was educated at Groton School and Yale University.
Around the turn of the twentieth century the corporation became the dominant economic form, along with the antitrust politics that followed it.
He worked as diplomat, politician and polo player.
His recorded holdings include Arden.
Commercial success is easy to measure and hard to interpret; timing and market do much of the work.
Recognition followed: Presidential Medal of Freedom (1969), Four Freedoms Award – Freedom Medal (1983), Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame and Order of the Patriotic War.
That the business was built from United States shaped it: capital, regulation and market size differ by country, and they decide what is even attemptable.
W. Averell Harriman died in 1986, aged 95. What remains is the enterprise and its consequences, which is the only durable measure of a commercial life.
Achievements
- Presidential Medal of Freedom — 1969
- Four Freedoms Award – Freedom Medal — 1983
- Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame
- Order of the Patriotic War
- Holdings: Arden
- Affiliated with Union Pacific Corporation
- Educated at Groton School and Yale University
