The Short Tenure of the Second Watchdog in Chief, Fred H. Brown
Updated: This post was updated to improve clarity and to update a missing URL.
We’ve already introduced you to the first U.S. Comptroller General, John R. McCarl. While McCarl set the course for GAO, his successor didn’t have much time to fill those substantial shoes. Today’s WatchBlog shares the short tenure (1939–1940) of the second CG, Fred H. Brown.
Life before GAO
Despite not having much time to leave a mark on GAO, Fred H. Brown was one of the more colorful—or at least athletic—CGs to-be. Born in 1879 in New Hampshire, he was an avid athlete. He not only excelled in basketball, playing on amateur teams and later for Dartmouth College, but also played pro baseball for the Boston Beaneaters.
After becoming a lawyer, he went on to hold several elected offices, including mayor of Somersworth, New Hampshire; governor of New Hampshire; and U.S. Senator.
Brown steps up to the plate…
After McCarl retired, the United States was without a Comptroller General for 3 years. McCarl’s assistant comptroller general filled the role while President Franklin D. Roosevelt pondered a permanent replacement. FDR nominated Brown, but he was only able to serve as CG for a little over a year before illness forced him to resign. Because his term was so short, he didn’t leave a substantial imprint on the organization.
However, GAO was not Brown’s final stop. Soon after he resigned, he was appointed to the U.S. Tariff Commission. But again his health forced him to resign after only a year. He then returned to his home state of New Hampshire, where he lived until his death in 1955.
Can’t get enough GAO history? Check out some of our GAO's 100th Anniversary page to learn more!
- Questions on the content of this post? Contact blog@gao.gov.
GAO's mission is to provide Congress with fact-based, nonpartisan information that can help improve federal government performance and ensure accountability for the benefit of the American people. GAO launched its WatchBlog in January, 2014, as part of its continuing effort to reach its audiences—Congress and the American people—where they are currently looking for information.
The blog format allows GAO to provide a little more context about its work than it can offer on its other social media platforms. Posts will tie GAO work to current events and the news; show how GAO’s work is affecting agencies or legislation; highlight reports, testimonies, and issue areas where GAO does work; and provide information about GAO itself, among other things.
Please send any feedback on GAO's WatchBlog to blog@gao.gov.