George Dern
George Dern | |
|---|---|
| 52nd United States Secretary of War | |
| In office March 4, 1933 – August 27, 1936 | |
| President | Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | Patrick J. Hurley |
| Succeeded by | Harry Woodring |
| Chair of the National Governors Association | |
| In office November 20, 1928 – July 2, 1930 | |
| Preceded by | Adam McMullen |
| Succeeded by | Norman S. Case |
| 6th Governor of Utah | |
| In office January 5, 1925 – January 2, 1933 | |
| Preceded by | Charles R. Mabey |
| Succeeded by | Henry H. Blood |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Henry Dern September 8, 1872 Scribner, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died | August 27, 1936 (aged 63) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Lottie Brown (m. 1899) |
| Children | 6 |
| Relatives | Bruce Dern (grandson) Laura Dern (great-granddaughter) |
| Education | Midland University University of Nebraska |
George Henry Dern (September 8, 1872 – August 27, 1936) was a German American politician, mining man, and businessman. He co-invented the Holt–Dern ore roasting process and was United States Secretary of War from 1933 to his death in 1936. He also served as the sixth governor of Utah for eight years, from 1925 to 1933. Dern was a progressive politician who fought for tax reform, public education, and social welfare. He was the grandfather of actor Bruce Dern and great-grandfather of actress Laura Dern.
A Unitarian, Dern was one of only three non-Mormon Governors of Utah. The other two were Simon Bamberger, who was Jewish, and J. Bracken Lee, who was Presbyterian.