Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
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| United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom | |
| In office March 8, 1938 – October 22, 1940 |
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| President | Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | Robert Worth Bingham |
| Succeeded by | John G. Winant |
| 1st Chair of the U.S. Maritime Commission | |
| In office April 14, 1937 – February 19, 1938 |
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| President | Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Emory S. Land |
| 1st Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | |
| In office June 30, 1934 – September 23, 1935 |
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| President | Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | James M. Landis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joseph Patrick Kennedy
September 6, 1888 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | November 18, 1969 (aged 81) Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Resting place | Holyhood Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Parents | P. J. Kennedy Mary Augusta Hickey |
| Relatives | See Kennedy family |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) |
| Signature |  |
Joseph Patrick Kennedy (born September 6, 1888 – died November 18, 1969) was an important American businessman, investor, and politician. He was known for holding many high-level jobs in the United States government. Joseph Kennedy was married to Rose Kennedy. Three of their nine children became famous politicians: John F. Kennedy, who became President, Robert F. Kennedy, who was Attorney General and a Senator, and Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy, who was a longtime Senator.
Joseph Kennedy was a leading member of the Democratic Party. He was also a prominent figure in the Irish Catholic community. President Franklin D. Roosevelt chose Kennedy to be the first chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Later, he led the Maritime Commission. Kennedy also served as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1938 to 1940. His views on Britain's survival during World War II were different from President Roosevelt's.
Joseph Kennedy's Career
Joseph Kennedy was born into a political family in East Boston, Massachusetts. He started his career in business and investing. He first earned a lot of money by investing in the stock market and other goods. Kennedy then used these earnings to invest in real estate and many different types of businesses across the United States.
During World War I, he worked as an assistant manager at a shipyard in Boston. This job helped him become friends with Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was then the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. In the 1920s, Kennedy made large profits by helping to reorganize and improve several Hollywood movie studios.
Kennedy increased his wealth through business ventures. His company, Somerset Importers, became the main agent for certain brands in America. He owned the largest office building in the country, Chicago's Merchandise Mart. This building gave his family an important connection to the city and its Irish-American political leaders.
Kennedy's time as ambassador and his political goals ended during the Battle of Britain in November 1940. In his later years, he worked behind the scenes to help his family's financial and political standing. After a serious stroke in 1961, which happened during his son's presidency, Kennedy lost his ability to speak. However, he remained mentally sharp. He used a wheelchair until his death in 1969.
Marriage and Family Life
On October 7, 1914, Joseph Kennedy married Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald. She was the oldest daughter of Boston Mayor John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald. This marriage brought together two of Boston's most important political families.
Joseph and Rose had nine children together. As Kennedy's businesses grew, he and his family had homes in the Boston area, near New York City, in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, and in Palm Beach, Florida.
Kennedy Children
| Name | Born | Died | Family Life |
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| Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kennedy Jr. | July 25, 1915 | August 12, 1944 | Did not marry or have children. |
| John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy | May 29, 1917 | November 22, 1963 | Married Jacqueline Lee Bouvier in 1953; they had four children. |
| Rose Marie "Rosemary" Kennedy | September 13, 1918 | January 7, 2005 | Did not marry or have children. |
| Kathleen Agnes "Kick" Kennedy | February 20, 1920 | May 13, 1948 | Married William Cavendish in 1944; they did not have children. |
| Eunice Mary Kennedy | July 10, 1921 | August 11, 2009 | Married Sargent Shriver in 1953; they had five children. |
| Patricia Helen "Pat" Kennedy | May 6, 1924 | September 17, 2006 | Married English actor Peter Lawford in 1954; they had four children and divorced in 1966. |
| Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy | November 20, 1925 | June 6, 1968 | Married Ethel Skakel in 1950; they had eleven children. |
| Jean Ann Kennedy | February 20, 1928 | Married Steven Smith in 1956; they had two sons and adopted two daughters. | |
| Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy | February 22, 1932 | August 25, 2009 | Married Joan Bennett in 1958 (three children, divorced 1982). Remarried Victoria Reggie in 1992 (no children). |
Images for kids
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Kennedy's yearbook photo from Boston Latin School
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Kennedy in 1914, aged 25.
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James Roosevelt, son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, helped Kennedy start a business after Prohibition.
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The Kennedy family at their home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, 1931. Rosemary Kennedy is seated on the far right.
See also
In Spanish: Joseph P. Kennedy para niños
