Sherman Adams

Sherman Adams
Sherman Adams
Born	Llewelyn Sherman Adams 8 1, 1899
Birthplace	East Dover, Vermont, U.S.
Died	Template:Death date and age
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Known for	White House Chief of Staff under President Dwight D. Eisenhower; Governor of New Hampshire
Education	Dartmouth College (BA)
Children	4
Awards	Sherman Adams Award (named in his honor by the ski industry)

Llewelyn Sherman Adams (January 8, 1899 – October 27, 1986) was an American politician and businessman who served as the second White House Chief of Staff, holding that position under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from January 20, 1953, until his resignation on October 7, 1958. Before ascending to the most powerful staff position in the White House, Adams had built a distinguished political career in New Hampshire, serving as the state's 67th governor from 1949 to 1953 and as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1945 to 1947. A figure of considerable authority within the Eisenhower administration, Adams was often described as the second most powerful person in Washington during his tenure, exercising broad control over access to the president and the flow of policy decisions. His career came to an abrupt end amid a scandal involving gifts he received from Boston industrialist Bernard Goldfine, including an expensive vicuña coat, which led to accusations of influence peddling and ultimately forced his resignation. After leaving Washington, Adams returned to New England, where he pursued a career in the ski resort industry and remained active in business until his death in 1986.

Early Life

Sherman Adams was born Llewelyn Sherman Adams on January 8, 1899, in East Dover, a village in the town of Dover, Vermont, in the rural southern part of the state. He grew up in a New England environment shaped by the region's traditions of thrift, self-reliance, and public service. Adams served in the United States military during World War I, an experience that, like many of his generation, helped shape his sense of civic duty and discipline.

After the war, Adams pursued higher education at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. His time at Dartmouth connected him to the state that would become the center of his political career and where he would spend much of his adult life. Dartmouth's strong tradition of outdoorsmanship also influenced Adams, who became deeply involved in activities related to the New Hampshire wilderness and timber industry.

Following his graduation from Dartmouth, Adams settled in New Hampshire and entered the lumber business, working in the timber-rich northern part of the state. He became a successful businessman in the forestry and lumber industry, gaining a reputation for competence and hard work. His involvement in the business community of New Hampshire gave him a practical understanding of economic issues and forged connections that would later prove valuable in his political career. Adams's background as a lumberman lent him a plainspoken, no-nonsense demeanor that became one of his defining characteristics in public life.

Education

Adams attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education in the United States and a member of the Ivy League. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth. His connection to Dartmouth remained significant throughout his life; the college was located in the state where Adams would build both his business career and his political legacy. Adams was involved with the Dartmouth Outing Club, one of the oldest and largest collegiate outing clubs in the nation, which reflected his lifelong interest in outdoor recreation and the New Hampshire landscape.

Career

Early Business Career

Before entering politics, Adams established himself as a businessman in New Hampshire's lumber industry. Working in the forests of the state's northern region, he gained practical experience in resource management and business operations. His career in the timber business gave him a grounding in the economic realities of rural New England and connected him with the communities and industries that formed the backbone of New Hampshire's economy. This background informed his approach to governance, which emphasized fiscal conservatism and practical problem-solving.

New Hampshire Politics

Adams entered public life through New Hampshire politics, affiliating with the Republican Party. He built a reputation within the state as an effective and disciplined political figure. His ascent through New Hampshire's political ranks demonstrated both his organizational skills and his ability to win the support of voters in a state known for its independent-minded electorate.

United States House of Representatives

Adams was elected to represent New Hampshire in the United States House of Representatives, serving one term from January 3, 1945, to January 3, 1947. In Congress, he succeeded Foster W. Stearns and was in turn succeeded by Norris Cotton, who would go on to a long career in the United States Senate. Adams's time in the House was relatively brief, but it provided him with experience in federal politics and an understanding of the legislative process that would serve him in later roles.

Governor of New Hampshire

After his term in Congress, Adams returned to New Hampshire politics and was elected the 67th Governor of New Hampshire, serving from January 6, 1949, to January 1, 1953. He succeeded Charles M. Dale and was succeeded by Hugh Gregg. As governor, Adams brought his characteristic efficiency and directness to the state's highest office. His tenure as governor established him as one of the leading Republican figures in New England and brought him to the attention of national party leaders who were seeking a candidate to challenge the Democrats in the 1952 presidential election.

Adams played a pivotal role in the 1952 presidential campaign of Dwight D. Eisenhower. As governor of the state that held the nation's first presidential primary, Adams was well-positioned to influence the early stages of the campaign. He became an early and enthusiastic supporter of Eisenhower's candidacy, helping to organize the general's campaign in New Hampshire and contributing to Eisenhower's victory in the state's primary, which was a critical early success that helped propel the former Supreme Allied Commander toward the Republican nomination.

White House Chief of Staff

Following Eisenhower's victory in the 1952 presidential election, Adams was appointed to serve as White House Chief of Staff, formally known as "The Assistant to the President." He assumed the position on January 20, 1953, succeeding John R. Steelman, who had served in a similar capacity under President Harry S. Truman. Adams was the second person to hold the modernized version of this role, which had been formalized during the Truman administration.

Role and Influence

In the Eisenhower White House, Adams wielded extraordinary power and influence. He served as the president's principal gatekeeper, controlling access to the Oval Office and managing the flow of information and policy proposals that reached Eisenhower's desk. Adams's management style reflected both his New England temperament and Eisenhower's preference for a highly organized, military-style staff structure. The chief of staff imposed a strict hierarchy within the White House, ensuring that matters were thoroughly vetted before they reached the president.

Adams was initially celebrated for his efficiency and his ability to manage the complex operations of the executive branch. He earned a reputation as one of the most powerful chiefs of staff in American history, with influence that extended across virtually all areas of domestic policy. His terse manner and willingness to make difficult decisions on the president's behalf made him both respected and feared within Washington's political circles. Staffers and cabinet members alike understood that gaining Adams's approval was often a prerequisite for gaining the president's ear.

The scope of Adams's authority was such that he was frequently described in the press as the second most powerful man in Washington. He reviewed documents, summarized policy options, and in many cases made decisions that in other administrations might have been reserved for the president himself. This delegation of authority was consistent with Eisenhower's management philosophy, which drew on his experience as a military commander who relied on a strong chief of staff to handle administrative details while the commander focused on strategic decisions.

The Goldfine Scandal

Adams's tenure as chief of staff came to an end as a result of a scandal that became one of the most prominent political controversies of the Eisenhower era. In 1958, it was revealed that Adams had accepted gifts from Bernard Goldfine, a Boston textile manufacturer, including an expensive vicuña coat and an oriental rug. The gifts raised serious questions about whether Adams had used his position to influence federal regulatory agencies on Goldfine's behalf, particularly in connection with investigations by the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The revelations about Adams's relationship with Goldfine were particularly damaging because the Eisenhower administration had come to power in part on a platform of cleaning up corruption in Washington. The scandal was seized upon by Democrats and the press, and congressional hearings were held to investigate the matter. Adams appeared before a House subcommittee and acknowledged accepting the gifts but denied that he had done anything improper or that the gifts had influenced his official actions. He famously stated that he had been "imprudent" but insisted he had not been dishonest.

Despite Adams's denials, the political pressure became insurmountable. Republican leaders, concerned about the impact of the scandal on the party's prospects in the upcoming midterm elections, urged Eisenhower to ask for Adams's resignation. The president, who valued Adams's service and was reluctant to let him go, eventually acquiesced to the political reality. Adams resigned from his position on September 22, 1958, with his departure becoming effective on October 7, 1958. He was succeeded as chief of staff by Wilton Persons, a military officer who had served as Adams's deputy.

The Goldfine scandal became a cautionary tale in American political history about the dangers of conflicts of interest and the importance of maintaining ethical boundaries in public service. The incident demonstrated how even a figure of Adams's stature and competence could be brought down by the appearance of impropriety, and it contributed to subsequent efforts to establish clearer ethical guidelines for government officials.

Post-Government Career

After leaving Washington, Adams returned to New England and embarked on a new career in the ski resort industry. He became involved in the development and management of Loon Mountain ski resort in Lincoln, New Hampshire, serving as its president and overseeing its growth into a significant recreational destination. His involvement in the ski industry reflected his longstanding love of the New Hampshire outdoors and his business acumen. Adams helped to develop the resort during a period of significant growth in the American ski industry, and his name became associated with the sport's development in the northeastern United States.

Adams's contributions to the ski industry were recognized by the naming of the Sherman Adams Award, which is presented by the ski industry to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport and its associated businesses. The award reflects the lasting impact Adams had on the development of skiing in New England and beyond.

Personal Life

Sherman Adams was a private individual who kept his personal life largely separate from his public career. He and his wife had four children together. Adams was known for his austere personal style and reserved demeanor, characteristics that were consistent with his New England upbringing and that carried over into both his political and business careers.

Adams was a veteran of World War I, having served in the United States military during the conflict. His military service preceded his business and political careers and contributed to the disciplined, no-nonsense approach that defined his professional life.

After his resignation from the White House, Adams settled back in New Hampshire, the state that had been the center of his political career and where he had deep personal and professional roots. He lived the remainder of his life in the state, maintaining connections to the business and outdoor recreation communities that had been important to him throughout his adult life.

Sherman Adams died on October 27, 1986, at the age of 87. His death marked the passing of one of the most influential figures in the history of the American presidency's administrative structure and a central figure in the politics of the Eisenhower era.

Recognition

Adams's role as White House Chief of Staff under Eisenhower has been the subject of considerable historical attention. His tenure in the position helped to define the modern chief of staff role and established a template for the concentration of authority in the White House staff that influenced subsequent administrations. Historians and political scientists have studied Adams's approach to the position as an early example of the powerful gatekeeper model of White House management.

The Sherman Adams Award, presented by the ski industry through SAM (Ski Area Management) Magazine, honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the ski industry. The award's naming after Adams reflects his significant role in developing skiing in New England during the latter part of his career.

Adams's biographical information is preserved in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, the Library of Congress authority files, and numerous archival collections. His papers and related materials are held by the National Archives and Records Administration, reflecting his significance as a figure in American political history.

His entry in the American National Biography provides a comprehensive scholarly treatment of his life and career, situating him within the broader context of mid-twentieth-century American politics and the development of the modern presidency.

Legacy

Sherman Adams's legacy is defined by the dual nature of his career in public service: his significant contributions to the organization and administration of the modern presidency, and the scandal that brought his White House career to an end. As Eisenhower's chief of staff, Adams helped to establish the position as one of the most important in the executive branch, creating a model of centralized White House management that subsequent administrations would adopt and adapt. His ability to manage the vast administrative apparatus of the presidency and to serve as an effective intermediary between the president and the rest of the government demonstrated the value of a strong and capable chief of staff.

At the same time, the Goldfine scandal served as a defining moment in the development of American political ethics. The controversy over the vicuña coat and other gifts became a symbol of the potential for conflicts of interest in government, and Adams's fall from power illustrated the political consequences of even the appearance of impropriety. The incident contributed to a growing awareness of the need for formal ethical guidelines and disclosure requirements for government officials, developments that would gain momentum in subsequent decades.

Adams's post-government career in the ski industry demonstrated his versatility and resilience. His contributions to the development of Loon Mountain and the broader New England ski industry ensured that his legacy extended beyond the political realm. The Sherman Adams Award, which continues to be presented to leaders in the ski industry, serves as a lasting tribute to this aspect of his career.

In the annals of New Hampshire political history, Adams occupies a notable position as a figure who rose from the state's lumber industry to the governorship and then to the highest echelons of national power. His career reflected the possibilities of American political life in the mid-twentieth century, and his story — encompassing both triumph and downfall — remains a subject of study for historians, political scientists, and students of government ethics.