R. Douglas Stuart facts for kids

Robert Douglas Stuart (born January 20, 1886 – died January 5, 1975) was an important American businessman. He also served his country as the United States Ambassador to Canada from 1953 to 1956.

Early Life and Family Beginnings

Stuart was born in Chicago in 1886. His father, also named Robert Stuart, was a key figure in the business world. In 1899, Robert Stuart Sr. and his business partner, Henry Parsons Crowell, took control of a company called American Cereal Company. They did this through a business move called a "proxy fight," which means they convinced other owners to let them vote on their behalf to gain power.

In 1901, they changed the company's name to the Quaker Oats Company. They chose this name because the "Quaker" brand was already well-known thanks to Crowell's Quaker Mill Company. So, Robert Douglas Stuart's father was one of the people who helped start the famous Quaker Oats Company.

Leading the Quaker Oats Company

From 1901 to 1921, Robert Douglas Stuart's father managed the factories and operations for Quaker Oats. Meanwhile, Henry Crowell was in charge of marketing and selling the products.

Robert Douglas Stuart's older brother, John Stuart, was trained to take over their father's job. Robert Douglas Stuart himself learned about marketing from Crowell. In 1922, both their father and Crowell retired. This meant that John and Douglas Stuart took over running the company every day.

New Ideas After the War

After World War II, Robert Douglas Stuart brought fresh ideas to Quaker Oats' marketing. He made the company one of the first to use more than one advertising agency. This was a new and bold approach at the time.

Besides his work at Quaker Oats, Stuart was also active in his community. He was a delegate, or representative, at the 1952 Republican National Convention. This was a big meeting where the Republican Party chose its candidate for president. Stuart also served for a long time as the president of the Chicago Council of the Boy Scouts of America, helping many young people.

Serving as Ambassador

In 1953, the President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, chose Robert Douglas Stuart to be the United States Ambassador to Canada. An ambassador is a country's main representative in another country.

Stuart officially started his job on July 15, 1953. He presented his credentials, which are official documents, to Vincent Massey, who was the Governor General of Canada at the time. Stuart worked in Ottawa, Canada's capital city, until May 4, 1956.

Later Years

After finishing his work as ambassador, Stuart returned to the Quaker Oats Company. He retired from his role as chairman of the board, a top leadership position, in 1962.

Robert Douglas Stuart passed away at his home in Lake Forest, Illinois, on January 5, 1975.