William C. Redfield

William Cox Redfield (June 18, 1858 – June 13, 1932) was a Democratic politician from New York who served both in the U.S. Congress and as the first U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

Early life William Cox Redfield was born on June 18, 1858, in Albany, New York. In 1867, the family moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts. In 1907, he established Sirocco Engineering Company, which later merged with the American Blower Company of Detroit. He served as vice president of the American Blower Company until 1913. In Congress, he advocated for lower tariff rates.

President Woodrow Wilson appointed Redfield as U.S. Secretary of Commerce and he served from March 4, 1913, until his resignation on November 1, 1919. During World War I, he helped develop the War Trade Board, the Bureau of Standards, and the Council of National Defense. He advocated for a big navy to protect American business interests abroad.

Redfield was president of the American Manufacturers Export Association, the National Society for the Promotion of Industrial Education, the American-Russian Chamber of Commerce, the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in New York, and the National Institute of Social Sciences. In 1927, he was president of the Danish-American Corporation. In 1929, he was the first president of the newly established Brooklyn National Bank. In the 1930s, he spoke against the "super-patriotism" of high tariffs. On high tariffs, he said in November 1930: "We cannot play a lone hand. We are not big enough, strong enough or rich enough to do it. In declaring ourselves independent, we are entering upon a dangerous game which the other man can play with loaded dice."

Later in life, Redfield became engaged with banking, investing, and insurance business in New York City and Brooklyn.

Personal life Redfield married Elise Mercein Fuller of Brooklyn in 1885. They had a son and daughter, Humphrey and Mrs. Charles K. Drury.

Redfield died on June 13, 1932, at his home at Monroe Place in New York City. He was buried in Albany Rural Cemetery.

Publications (Includes Redfield's views on labor)

Redfield, William Cox (1924–1925). Glimpses of Our Government Redfield, William Cox (1926). Dependent America