Elliot Richardson

Elliot Lee Richardson (July 20, 1920 – December 31, 1999) was an American lawyer who served several high-level cabinet positions in the administrations of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. He graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor's degree in 1941. After serving in World War II he became an associate with a private law firm in Boston. He retired in 1957 after President Dwight Eisenhower appointed him Assistant Secretary for Legislation for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and in 1959 Attorney General for Massachusetts. In 1964 he was elected Lieutenant Governor. Richardson was sworn in as Under Secretary of State by President Nixon and Secretary for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1970. Richardson went on to serve as Secretary of Commerce under President Ford from 1976-1977.