Wendell Lewis Willkie

Wendell Lewis Willkie (1892-1944) was an American lawyer, corporate executive, and politician best known for his run as the Republican candidate in the 1940 U.S. presidential election. Willkie, initially a Democrat, switched parties and became a strong advocate for internationalism, supporting U.S. involvement in World War II. He was a staunch opponent of isolationism and played a key role in promoting the idea of a more active global role for the United States. Although he lost the 1940 election to Franklin D. Roosevelt, his campaign resonated with many for its calls for unity and global leadership.