Corporate Executive, US Diplomat. The son of Alanson B. Houghton, he graduated from Harvard University in 1921 and joined the family business, New York's Corning Glass Works, becoming President in 1930 and Chairman of the Board in 1941. He was responsible for changing Corning's focus from industrial products to consumer goods, including Pyrex ovenware. Houghton lent his executive experience to the federal government as a "dollar a year man" during World War II, serving as Assistant Director of Materials in the Office of Production Management and Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Industry Brands for the War Production Board. In 1943 he became Deputy Chief for Economic Affairs at the US Mission in Great Britain, with responsibility for expediting delivery of materials and equipment from the United States for the war effort. Long active in the Boy Scouts of America, he served as the organization's Vice President from 1943 to 1946 and President from 1946 to 1951. He was a Delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1948 and 1952, and was one of New York's Presidential Electors in 1956. Houghton served as Ambassador to France from 1957 to 1961. After returning to the United States he became Chairman of the Executive Committee at Corning Glass Works, and he served again as Chairman of the Board from 1964 until becoming Chairman Emeritus in 1971. He was the father of Corning Executive and US Congressman Amory Houghton, Jr. (born 1926).
Corporate Executive, US Diplomat. The son of Alanson B. Houghton, he graduated from Harvard University in 1921 and joined the family business, New York's Corning Glass Works, becoming President in 1930 and Chairman of the Board in 1941. He was responsible for changing Corning's focus from industrial products to consumer goods, including Pyrex ovenware. Houghton lent his executive experience to the federal government as a "dollar a year man" during World War II, serving as Assistant Director of Materials in the Office of Production Management and Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Industry Brands for the War Production Board. In 1943 he became Deputy Chief for Economic Affairs at the US Mission in Great Britain, with responsibility for expediting delivery of materials and equipment from the United States for the war effort. Long active in the Boy Scouts of America, he served as the organization's Vice President from 1943 to 1946 and President from 1946 to 1951. He was a Delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1948 and 1952, and was one of New York's Presidential Electors in 1956. Houghton served as Ambassador to France from 1957 to 1961. After returning to the United States he became Chairman of the Executive Committee at Corning Glass Works, and he served again as Chairman of the Board from 1964 until becoming Chairman Emeritus in 1971. He was the father of Corning Executive and US Congressman Amory Houghton, Jr. (born 1926).
Bio by: Bill McKern
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