1893-1971
U.S. Secretary of State, 1949-1953

Controversial Secretary of State.

Although considered one of the most successful architects of American foreign policy, Dean Acheson won many enemies by ignoring public opinion. Some blamed Acheson and his policy of Communist containment for American entry into the Korean War. Others such as Sen. Joseph McCarthy accused Acheson of being soft on communism for not having been vigilant enough in protecting U.S. interests in China. Acheson was often pressured by members of both political parties to resign. His Old World demeanor and English attire made him an easy target for those who thought him to be effete and out of touch.

Background.

A protege of Felix Frankfurter at Harvard Law School, Acheson first worked in Washington as a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis. He subsequently became a partner and a leading figure in...