James R. Schlesinger

Source: Biographical Sketch - February 15, 1974

James R. Schlesinger, a former Harvard economist with broad expertise in energy, budget matters and national security, was Director of the Central Intelligence Agency when President Nixon nominated him as Secretary of Defense May 10, 1973. He was confirmed by the United States Senate June 28 and sworn into office July 2, 1973.

Secretary Schlesinger served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from February 2, 1973, until he became Secretary of Defense. Prior to his Defense assignment, he was Assistant Director of the Office of Management and Budget and then Chairman of the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission. While at OMB, he was responsible for budget and management activities associated with national security and international programs, and he was OMB's representative on the National Space Council. He was named Assistant Director of the Bureau of the Budget in 1969. He later served as Acting Director of the Bureau during its transition to OMB.

From 1963 to 1969, Secretary Schlesinger was Director of Strategic Studies at the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica, California, where he specialized in strategic analysis with special reference to nuclear weaponry.

For eight years prior to joining Rand, Secretary Schlesinger was an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Virginia. His book, "The Political Economy of National Security," was published in 1960, and he has written extensively on the role of analysis in relation to political decision-making.

Secretary Schlesinger was a consultant to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and while teaching at the University of Virginia, was the Academic Consultant in Economics to the U. S. Naval War College in 1957.

Secretary Schlesinger graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor of arts degree in 1950. He earned his master's degree at Harvard in 1952 and his Ph.D there in 1956. Economics was his major course of study both as an undergraduate and graduate student.

A native of New York City, Secretary Schlesinger was born February 15, 1929. He is married to the former Rachel Mellinger of Springfield, Ohio. They have eight children and live in Arlington, Virginia,

Return to the Ford Administration Cabinet Meetings Page

Search the Ford Library & Museum website

Go to the Home Page

Send e-mail to the Ford Library

[ Search | Home Page | E-mail ]

URL: http://www.ford.utexas.edu/ford/library/exhibits/cabinet/schlesin.htm
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 14, 1998