Hopkins, Harry

Harry L. Hopkins, a prominent member of President Franklin D Roosevelt’s administration, was born on August 17, 1890 at 512 Tenth Street in Sioux City.

Starting as a social worker in New York, he eventually was chosen to be the head of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration in 1933 for Roosevelt. He later became the chief of the Works Progress Administration in 1935 followed by being the Secretary of Commerce in 1938.

While illness prevented him from continuing in his role in Roosevelt's cabinet, he continued as one of Roosevelt’s chief lieutenants during World War II. During his time in the White House administration, he spent $9 billion on national work relief which created employment opportunities for many people in Siouxland.