US Presidential Cabinet Secretary. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1936 and received a law degree from Harvard University in 1939. He practiced law until 1942 and then became General Counsel for the federal Office of Scientific Research and Development, working on penicillin production. During World War II he was an air combat intelligence officer with the Marine Corps and saw action in the Pacific Theater. In 1947 he joined Merck Pharmaceutical and became the company's President in 1955. He was a co-Chairman of the 1964 Johnson-Humphrey campaign, and in 1965 he was named Secretary of Commerce. Connor served until 1967, and during his term helped settle an East Coast dock workers strike, as well as a strike by General Electric employees. Connor also oversaw the transfer of several Commerce Department agencies and offices to the newly created Department of Transportation. He resigned over disagreement with President Johnson's management style and joined Allied Chemical as Chief Executive Officer, a position he held until 1979. In the late 1960s and early 1970s Connor was head of Business Executives Against the Vietnam War. He was employed by London's Shroder's Ltd. until 1987, and in retirement lived in Cotuit, Massachusetts and Florida. He died at Massachusetts General Hospital while being treated for cancer.
US Presidential Cabinet Secretary. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1936 and received a law degree from Harvard University in 1939. He practiced law until 1942 and then became General Counsel for the federal Office of Scientific Research and Development, working on penicillin production. During World War II he was an air combat intelligence officer with the Marine Corps and saw action in the Pacific Theater. In 1947 he joined Merck Pharmaceutical and became the company's President in 1955. He was a co-Chairman of the 1964 Johnson-Humphrey campaign, and in 1965 he was named Secretary of Commerce. Connor served until 1967, and during his term helped settle an East Coast dock workers strike, as well as a strike by General Electric employees. Connor also oversaw the transfer of several Commerce Department agencies and offices to the newly created Department of Transportation. He resigned over disagreement with President Johnson's management style and joined Allied Chemical as Chief Executive Officer, a position he held until 1979. In the late 1960s and early 1970s Connor was head of Business Executives Against the Vietnam War. He was employed by London's Shroder's Ltd. until 1987, and in retirement lived in Cotuit, Massachusetts and Florida. He died at Massachusetts General Hospital while being treated for cancer.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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