Presidential Cabinet Secretary. He served as United States Postmaster General during the administration of President Harry S. Truman. Joining the post office as a letter carrier in 1908, he became a postal inspector, then a supervisor and manager, serving in positions of increasing rank and responsibility in Tennessee, Oklahoma and Missouri. In 1945 he was appointed Assistant Postmaster General. During Donaldson's tenure, Postmaster General Robert Hannegan became increasingly dissatisfied with his job, so Donaldson often sat in for him at cabinet meetings and served as Acting Postmaster General. When Hannegan retired in 1947, President Truman appointed Donaldson Postmaster General. Donaldson was the first career postal employee to serve in the department's top position, which had traditionally been reserved for the leader of the president's political party. He served until the end of President Truman's term in 1953, receiving credit for modernizing postal operations and streamlining service.
Presidential Cabinet Secretary. He served as United States Postmaster General during the administration of President Harry S. Truman. Joining the post office as a letter carrier in 1908, he became a postal inspector, then a supervisor and manager, serving in positions of increasing rank and responsibility in Tennessee, Oklahoma and Missouri. In 1945 he was appointed Assistant Postmaster General. During Donaldson's tenure, Postmaster General Robert Hannegan became increasingly dissatisfied with his job, so Donaldson often sat in for him at cabinet meetings and served as Acting Postmaster General. When Hannegan retired in 1947, President Truman appointed Donaldson Postmaster General. Donaldson was the first career postal employee to serve in the department's top position, which had traditionally been reserved for the leader of the president's political party. He served until the end of President Truman's term in 1953, receiving credit for modernizing postal operations and streamlining service.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Donaldson memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
