Charles F. Brannan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Charles Franklin Brannan (August 23, 1903 – July 2, 1992) was the Secretary of Agriculture from 1948 to 1953.

He was born in Denver, Colorado, and received his law degree from the University of Denver in 1929. Beginning in 1935, he held a series of legal and administrative position with the United States government, culminating as the Secretary of Agriculture in 1948.

In 1949, he advocated the Brannan plan, as part of president Truman's Fair Deal program. Brannan wanted to guarantee farmer's income, while letting the free market forces determine the prices of commodities. That plan was not enacted by the republican controlled congress, which was focusing on the Cold War.

After leaving the government following the election of Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953, Brannan became the general counsel of the National Farmer's Union until 1990. He died on July 2, 1992 in Denver, Colorado. Prior to his death, Brannan had been the last surviving member of the Truman Cabinet.

Preceded by Clinton Presba Anderson

United States Secretary of Agriculture 1948–1953

Succeeded by Ezra Taft Benson

United States Secretaries of Agriculture
Colman • Rusk • Morton • Wilson • Houston • Meredith • HC Wallace • Gore • Jardine • Hyde • HA Wallace • Wickard • Anderson • Brannan • Benson • Freeman • Hardin • Butz• Knebel • Bergland • Block • Lyng • Yeutter • Madigan • Espy • Glickman • Veneman • Johanns