11 Facts About Alger Chapman

Alger Baldwin Chapman was an attorney, businessman, New York state official, and adviser to New York Governor Thomas Dewey.

Alger Chapman was born in 1904 on Long Island; he attended law school at Columbia University.

Alger Chapman was the New York manager for Dewey's unsuccessful presidential bid, and remained involved in Republican politics until the age of 70.

Dewey and Alger Chapman had met only briefly, but after inquiry, Governor Dewey learned that Alger Chapman was eminently qualified for the job, if he was willing to take it.

Alger Chapman resigned from his tax post to manage Dewey's successful campaign, and the newly reelected governor reappointed him after the election, and he served in that position until he resigned in 1948 to return to the law.

Alger Chapman followed up his success by acting as the New York manager for Dewey's 1948 Presidential bid, and succeeded in garnering New York's 47 electoral votes for Dewey, though the ticket was defeated nationwide.

Alger Chapman was unsuccessful in managing John Foster Dulles's 1949 Senate bid against former governor Herbert Lehman but was successful in managing Dewey's 1950 bid for a third term and in securing New York for Dwight Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956.

Alger Chapman served as state treasurer for the Republicans from 1949 to 1959, and would serve on its finance committee in 1974.

In 1958, Alger Chapman became chairman and chief executive officer of Beech-Nut Life Savers Inc.

Alger Chapman remained a director of Squibb after the merger, and served as a director of ABC, the Bowery Savings Bank and the Bank of New York.

Alger Chapman was involved in civic activities, for nine years chairing the board of trustees of Adelphi University and was involved with the YMCA and the Police Athletic League.