National Park Service Director. Born in Smoaks, South Carolina, he was the son of a cotton farmer; taught himself law while working in a law office and, in 1942, passed the state bar exam without a law degree. After his WWII U S Army service, he began a career with the National Park Service and by 1959 had been appointed superintendent of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis where he aggressively managed the completion of the long-delayed construction of the 630-foot-high Gateway Arch. During his tenure as National Park Service director from January 9, 1964 to December 31, 1972, his political skills within government led to the addition of nearly 50 million acres to the park system, more than doubling its size. His most significant impact was culminated eight years after the end of his career with the passing of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980; his extensive work with legislative committees in Congress creating the act had resulted in the addition of some 47 million acres of national parkland. Although fired by President Richard Nixon when a subordinate slighted one of Nixon's friends, Florida banker Bebe Rebozo, by revoking docking privileges for his boat at Biscayne National Park in Florida, Hartzog is considered to be one of the three greatest directors in National Park Service history. He subsequently practiced environmental law and spoke on national park related issues. Died in Arlington, Virgina of complications from kidney disease.
National Park Service Director. Born in Smoaks, South Carolina, he was the son of a cotton farmer; taught himself law while working in a law office and, in 1942, passed the state bar exam without a law degree. After his WWII U S Army service, he began a career with the National Park Service and by 1959 had been appointed superintendent of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis where he aggressively managed the completion of the long-delayed construction of the 630-foot-high Gateway Arch. During his tenure as National Park Service director from January 9, 1964 to December 31, 1972, his political skills within government led to the addition of nearly 50 million acres to the park system, more than doubling its size. His most significant impact was culminated eight years after the end of his career with the passing of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980; his extensive work with legislative committees in Congress creating the act had resulted in the addition of some 47 million acres of national parkland. Although fired by President Richard Nixon when a subordinate slighted one of Nixon's friends, Florida banker Bebe Rebozo, by revoking docking privileges for his boat at Biscayne National Park in Florida, Hartzog is considered to be one of the three greatest directors in National Park Service history. He subsequently practiced environmental law and spoke on national park related issues. Died in Arlington, Virgina of complications from kidney disease.
Bio by: Fred Beisser
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