Herman Benjamin Baruch (April 28, 1872 – March 15, 1953) was an American physician and diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands and Portugal.
Life and career
Herman Benjamin Baruch was born in Camden, South Carolina on April 28, 1872. The son of Simon Baruch and brother of Bernard Baruch, he graduated from the College of the City of New York in 1892, attended the University of Virginia, and received his medical degree from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1895.J. T. White, The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1935, page 170Alumni Council of Columbia University, Columbia Alumni News, Volume 38, Issue 8, 1947, page 28Associated Press, Dr. Herman Baruch succumbs at 80, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, March 16, 1953
Baruch practiced medicine in New York City, and later became a partner with his brothers Bernard, Hartwig and SailingJames L. Grant, Bernard M. Baruch: The Adventures of a Wall Street Legend, 1997, page 4 in Baruch Brothers, an investment bank and stock brokerage.Edwin C. Hill, Bernard M. Baruch, Munsey's magazine, Volume 61, September, 1917, pages 595 to 601 The Baruchs were supporters of the Democratic party, with Bernard advising both Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt during their presidencies, and all the brothers and their company providing financial support to the party and its candidates.New York Times, [Expenditures in New York: Flood of Election Statements Filed with the Secretary of State], November 28, 1916Charleston News and Observer, , November 1, 1932New York Times, Chief Parties List Gifts for Campaign, October 29, 1944
Baruch was a Delegate to the 1932 Democratic National Convention,New York Times, New York's Vote, July 1, 1932 and was also a presidential elector, casting his ballot for Franklin D. Roosevelt.New York Times, Herman B. Baruch, Former U.S. Envoy: Ambassador to Portugal and Netherlands Dies at 80-- Was Brother of Bernard, March 16, 1953 In 1943 Baruch was appointed representative of the U.S. Board of Economic Warfare in Brazil and special advisor to the U.S. Ambassador in that country.New York Times, Dr. Baruch to Head New Brazil Office, March 9, 1943Associated Press, Former Envoy Herman Baruch Dies at Home, Eugene Register-Guard, March 16, 1953
In 1945 Baruch was appointed United States Ambassador to Portugal.New York Times, H. B. Baruch Named Envoy; Chosen Ambassador to Portugal to Succeed R. Henry Norweb, January 30, 1945 He served until 1947, when he was named United States Ambassador to the Netherlands.Chicago Tribune, , March 20, 1947 Baruch served at The Hague until 1949, when he resigned as part of his brother Bernard's dispute with President Harry S. Truman.United Press International, Herman Baruch Resigns as Envoy, August 19, 1949 On his list of appointments for September 5, 1945 Truman described his 11:15 AM meeting with Herman Baruch: "Flatterer. Wants to be ambassador to France. Conniver like his Brother."
After returning to the United States, Baruch became President of the Simon Baruch Foundation.Mabel Otis Robison, Frank H. Krusen, M.D.: Pioneer in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 1963, 103 He was a Delegate to the 1952 Democratic National Convention.Paul Theodore David, Presidential Nominating Politics in 1952, Volume 2, 1954, pages 174 to 175
Baruch died in Wyandanch, New York on March 15, 1953.Central Conference of American Rabbis, Yearbook, Volume 63, 1953, page 94
References
External links Herman Benjamin Baruch record of service, Office of the Historian, United States Department of State