Presidential Advisor. A member of President Lyndon Johnson's inner-circle, he served at various capacities during his administration primarily as White House Counsel. He was an influential figure in helping shape "The Great Society" and policies regarding civil rights and the war in Vietnam. The son of a sporting goods proprietor, he attended Southern Methodist University but produced poor grades and transferred to the University of the South (Tennessee). He later enrolled at Columbia University in order to work towards a Masters Degree in English Literature with the emphasis of becoming a poet. However, this was never to materialize. He enlisted with the US Air Force after the outbreak of the Korean War and served as an intelligence officer while stationed in Germany. Following his discharge, McPherson's decision to study law was the result of his feelings of injustice towards the McCarthy hearings. With the aid of the GI Bill, he was able to attend the University of Texas Law School from where he attained his degree in 1956. While Lyndon Johnson was serving as the Majority Leader of the US Senate, McPherson began to work for him becoming Associate General Council for the Democratic Policy Committee. In addition to serving as White House Council during President Johnson's term, he was appointed Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs and Deputy Under Secretary for International Affairs. McPherson was involved in arranging a vital conference between Martin Luther King, Jr. (among other top civil rights leaders) with President Johnson for discussions to determine the course of civil rights. He was also a significant speech contributor. In 1979, he was tapped to serve for the President's Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island in 1979.
Presidential Advisor. A member of President Lyndon Johnson's inner-circle, he served at various capacities during his administration primarily as White House Counsel. He was an influential figure in helping shape "The Great Society" and policies regarding civil rights and the war in Vietnam. The son of a sporting goods proprietor, he attended Southern Methodist University but produced poor grades and transferred to the University of the South (Tennessee). He later enrolled at Columbia University in order to work towards a Masters Degree in English Literature with the emphasis of becoming a poet. However, this was never to materialize. He enlisted with the US Air Force after the outbreak of the Korean War and served as an intelligence officer while stationed in Germany. Following his discharge, McPherson's decision to study law was the result of his feelings of injustice towards the McCarthy hearings. With the aid of the GI Bill, he was able to attend the University of Texas Law School from where he attained his degree in 1956. While Lyndon Johnson was serving as the Majority Leader of the US Senate, McPherson began to work for him becoming Associate General Council for the Democratic Policy Committee. In addition to serving as White House Council during President Johnson's term, he was appointed Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs and Deputy Under Secretary for International Affairs. McPherson was involved in arranging a vital conference between Martin Luther King, Jr. (among other top civil rights leaders) with President Johnson for discussions to determine the course of civil rights. He was also a significant speech contributor. In 1979, he was tapped to serve for the President's Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island in 1979.
Bio by: C.S.
Family Members
Advertisement
See more McPherson memorials in:
Advertisement
