William Franklin Knox

Frank Knox (1874-1950) was an American politician and businessman who served as the U.S. Secretary of the Navy under President Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1940 to 1944. A Republican, Knox was the party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 1936 election, running alongside Alfred Landon, but they were defeated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in a landslide. Prior to his political career, Knox had a successful career in the newspaper industry, later becoming a key figure in the U.S. military during World War II. As Secretary of the Navy, he played a significant role in the expansion and modernization of the Navy during the early years of the war. After his death in 1950, Knox was remembered for his leadership during a critical time in American history.