William A. Irvin Explained

William Adolph Irvin
Birth Date:7 December 1873
Birth Place:Indiana, Pennsylvania
Death Place:Manhattan, New York City
Order:4th
Office:President of U.S. Steel
Term Start:April 19, 1932
Term End:January 1, 1938
Predecessor:James Augustine Farrell
Successor:Benjamin Franklin Fairless

William Adolph Irvin (December 7, 1873 - January 1, 1952) was the president of U.S. Steel.

Biography

He was born on December 7, 1873, in Indiana, Pennsylvania. In 1931 he was named vice president of U.S. Steel.[1]

After his father died while he was in the eighth grade, he dropped out of grade school to support his mother. He went straight to the mines and worked his way up to the corporations, where he eventually became president. His first wife died giving birth to their fifth child. He and his second wife, Gertrude Irvin, never had any children.

He died on January 1, 1952, in the Harkness Pavilion of the Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, New York City.[2] [3]

SS William A. Irvin

See main article: article and SS William A. Irvin. Irvin's namesake ore boat, the William A. Irvin was christened in 1938 and served as a flagship of U.S. Steel's Great Lakes fleet until her retirement in 1978.[4] The vessel was purchased by the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center and was converted to a maritime museum in 1986.[5] It floats on a slip in the harbor of Duluth, Minnesota.

Notes and References

  1. News: 'Bill' Irvin, Once Messenger Boy, Named Vice President of U.S. Steel . . September 3, 1931 .
  2. News: W. A. Irvin 78, Dies. U.S. Steel Ex-Chief. President of Corporation from 1932 to 1938. Was Leader in National Safety Council . . January 2, 1952 . subscription.
  3. News: Former Steel Corporation Head Dies . . . January 2, 1952 .
  4. Web site: History: The tale of the William A. Irvin . Duluth Entertainment Convention Center . 7 July 2016 .
  5. Web site: History: The DECC . Duluth Entertainment Convention Center . 7 July 2016 .