David K Niles was an American political advisor who worked in the White House from 1942 to 1951 for the administrations of Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman.
10 Facts About David Niles
1.
2.
David Niles's parents were Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire, Asher K Neyhus and Sophie Berlin.
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David Niles's father worked as a tailor to support the family.
4.
David Niles graduated from the prestigious Boston Latin School in 1906, but went to work at a department store to support his family.
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David Niles headed the speakers' bureau, and though the campaign failed abysmally, he was able to gain political insight from the experience.
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David Niles would serve as the Director of the American Business Census in Massachusetts, a consultant, director, and assistant administrator of the Works Progress Administration, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Commerce, as well as a consultant and advisor to the Office of Production Management and War Production Board before becoming a presidential advisor to Franklin Roosevelt.
7.
In 1943, Congressman Fred Bradley accused David Niles of having Communist connections while involved with the Ford Hall Forum.
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At the time, David Niles was the longest serving aide in White House history.
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David Niles was a committed Zionist and was important in providing access to the White House for American Zionists.
10.
David Niles never married, and died in Beth Israel Hospital in Boston on 28 September 1952, two months shy of his 64th birthday.