Martin Durkin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 7thUnited States Secretary of Labor | |
| In office January 21, 1953 – September 10, 1953 | |
| President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Preceded by | Maurice J. Tobin |
| Succeeded by | James P. Mitchell |
| Illinois Director of Labor | |
| In office September 1, 1933[1] – September 29, 1941[2] | |
| Governor | Henry Horner[1] Dwight H. Green[2] |
| Preceded by | Barney Cohen[1] |
| Succeeded by | Francis B. Murphy[2] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1894-03-18)March 18, 1894 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | November 13, 1955(1955-11-13) (aged 61) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Anna McNicholas |
| Children | 3 |
Martin Patrick Durkin (March 18, 1894 – November 13, 1955) was a U.S.administrator. He served asSecretary of Labor from January 21, 1953, to September 10, 1953, where he was the "plumber" of PresidentDwight Eisenhower's "Nine Millionaires and a Plumber"[3] cabinet.
Durkin was born inChicago, Illinois, on March 18, 1894, the son of James J. Durkin and Mary Catherine (née Higgins). At the age of 17, Durkin became involved in the plumber's and pipe fitter's union.[4] On August 29, 1921, Durkin married the former Anna H. McNicholas. They had three sons: Martin Bernard, William Joseph and John Francis Durkin.
He eventually became president of that union. He then served as Illinois's Director of Labor starting in September 1933, being appointed by GovernorHenry Horner.[1] He worked closely with the PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt'sSecretary of Labor,Frances Perkins during this time. He resigned in September of 1941.[2]
Durkin served as the Secretary of Labor during theEisenhower administration. A Democrat among Republicans, he unsuccessfully pushed for his revisions in theTaft-Hartley Act. This led to his resignation after less than eight months in office, the shortest tenure of anySecretary of Labor.[4]
He died inWashington D.C., from complications ofcancer surgery. He was interred in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery inEvergreen Park, Illinois.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | U.S. Secretary of Labor Served under:Dwight D. Eisenhower January 21–September 10, 1953 | Succeeded by |
| Trade union offices | ||
| Preceded by George Masterton | President of theUnited Association 1943–1953 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | President of theUnited Association 1953–1955 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
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