Eisenhower, Milton Stover

(1899-1985)

   The younger brother of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Milton Eisenhower was also born in Abilene, Kansas. He studied journalism at Kansas State College in Manhattan, Kansas, where he then taught. He served briefly in the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland, before becoming assistant to William Jardine, Calvin Coolidge’s secretary of agriculture. In 1928, Eisenhower became director of information in the Department of Agriculture, a position he held until 1941. In 1942, he was appointed to head the War Relocation Authority responsible for the supervision of the camps established to house the interned Japanese Americans during World War II. His attempts to provide reasonable conditions in the camps were to some extent limited due to the resistance he encountered from politicians and military officials. He later regretted his involvement in the relocation. After only 90 days, Eisenhower moved to the Office of War Information, where he became assistant to Elmer Davis.

   In 1943, Eisenhower left government service to become president of Kansas State College, a position he held until 1950 when he became president of Pennsylvania State University. In 1956, he moved to become president of Johns Hopkins University. He retired in 1967 but took the position again briefly from 1971 until 1972. During his brother’s presidency, Eisenhower acted as adviser, speechwriter, and special representative. He also assisted President John F. Kennedy and was chair of President Lyndon Johnson’s National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence. His political memoir, The President is Calling, was published in 1974.