Frank A. Scott

Frank Augustus Scott (March 22, 1873 – April 15, 1949) was an American businessman and government official from Cleveland, Ohio. He served as the first chairman of the War Industries Board and was president and chairman of the board of Warner & Swasey.

Early life Frank Augustus Scott was born on March 22, 1873, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Sarah Ann (née Warr) and Robert Crozier Scott. His father encouraged Scott to take up the study of the Civil War as a hobby. He attended schools in Cleveland and received a high school level education in Latin, English and history under the tutelage of John H. Dynes, a professor of Western Reserve University.

Career About the age of 18, Scott was employed by the standing committee on transportation of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce as an expert on freight rates. Following a trip to Europe prior to 1914, he saw the potential of a future German conflict and expanded production of munitions. He became chairman of the War Industries Board in July 1917. Citing the recurrence of an illness he had in 1912, Scott resigned as chairman of the board on October 26, 1917. He was succeeded by Daniel Willard for a few months before Bernard Baruch took over as chairman. Following his resignation, he lived in California until March 1918. In 1924, Scott was made chief of the Cleveland Ordnance Division. He was given a colonel's commission in the U.S. Army. He resigned from the Army in November 1928.

During the Great Depression, Scott managed the finances and investments of the estate of Samuel Livingston Mather II and Western Reserve University. His success with the finances of Mather are credited with helping Western Reserve continue operations during the depression. He was also a trustee of Western Reserve University. In 1940, he shared his opposition to drafting industrial concerns to support the war effort and support for a strategy of cooperation between industry and government. She died in 1936. He married Dulcie (née Shifflett) Scott, widow of his son Chester. He also had a son and daughter, Malcolm F. and Elizabeth. He lived on Monmouth and Guilford roads in Cleveland.

Awards In 1919, Scott was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.