James R. Schlesinger | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait | |
| 1st United States Secretary of Energy | |
| In office August 9, 1977 – August 23, 1979 | |
| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | John F. O'Leary (FEA) |
| Succeeded by | Charles Duncan Jr. |
| 12th United States Secretary of Defense | |
| In office July 2, 1973 – November 19, 1975[1] | |
| President | Richard Nixon Gerald Ford |
| Preceded by | Elliot Richardson |
| Succeeded by | Donald Rumsfeld |
| 9th Director of Central Intelligence | |
| In office February 2, 1973 – July 2, 1973 | |
| President | Richard Nixon |
| Deputy | Vernon A. Walters |
| Preceded by | Richard Helms |
| Succeeded by | Vernon A. Walters (acting) |
| Chair of the Atomic Energy Commission | |
| In office August 17, 1971 – January 26, 1973 | |
| President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Glenn Seaborg |
| Succeeded by | Dixy Lee Ray |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Rodney Schlesinger February 15, 1929 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 27, 2014 (aged 85) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican[2] |
| Spouse |
Rachel Line Mellinger
(m. 1954; died 1995) |
| Children | 8 |
| Education | Harvard University (BA, MA, PhD) |
| Watergate scandal |
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| Events |
| People |
James Rodney Schlesinger (February 15, 1929 – March 27, 2014) was an American economist and public servant who was best known for serving as Secretary of Defense from 1973 to 1975 under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Prior to becoming Secretary of Defense, he served as Chair of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) from 1971 to 1973, and as CIA Director for a few months in 1973. He became America's first Secretary of Energy under Jimmy Carter in 1977, serving until 1979.
While Secretary of Defense, he opposed amnesty for draft resisters and pressed for development of more sophisticated nuclear weapon systems. Additionally, his support for the A-10 and the lightweight fighter program (later the F-16) helped ensure that they were carried to completion.
- ^ "James R. Schlesinger – Richard Nixon / Gerald Ford Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office.
- ^ "James R. Schlesinger – Richard Nixon / Gerald Ford Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office.
When Jimmy Carter became president in January 1977 he appointed Schlesinger, a Republican, as his special adviser on energy and subsequently as the first head of the new Department of Energy in October 1977.