Roy D. Chapin
| Roy D. Chapin | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 6th United States Secretary of Commerce | |
|
In office August 8, 1932 – March 3, 1933 |
|
| President | Herbert Hoover |
| Preceded by | Robert P. Lamont |
| Succeeded by | Daniel C. Roper |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Dikeman Chapin February 23, 1880 Lansing, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | February 16, 1936 (aged 55) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Inez Tiedeman Chapin (m. 1914 - 1936, his death) |
| Children |
Roy Dikeman Chapin, Jr. Joan King Chapin John Carsten Chapin Sara Ann Chapin Daniel Chapin Marian Chapin |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Profession | Government |
Roy Dikeman Chapin, Sr. (February 23, 1880 – February 16, 1936) was an American industrialist and cofounder of Hudson Motor Company, the predecessor of American Motors. He also served as the United States Secretary of Commerce from August 8, 1932, to March 3, 1933, in the last months of the administration of President Herbert Hoover.
He was born on February 23, 1880 in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Edward Cornelius Chapin and Ella Rose King. He attended the University of Michigan.
Chapin married the former Inez Tiedeman in 1914. The couple had six children. One son, Roy D. Chapin Jr., would also pursue a career with Hudson Motor Company, eventually leading American Motors Corporation (AMC).
Chapin headed the consortium of businessmen and engineers that founded the Hudson Motor Car Company in 1908. The company was named for Detroit merchant Joseph L. Hudson, who provided the majority of capital for the operation's start-up.
Chapin was also behind the 1918 formation of the Essex Motors Company, a subsidiary of Hudson. Essex is notable for developing the first affordable mass-produced enclosed automobile in 1922. Because of the success of the inexpensive enclosed Essex Coach line, the American automobile industry shifted away from open touring cars in order to meet consumer demand for all-weather passenger vehicles.
In 1927 he replaced Clifton as the head of the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to his corporate interests, Chapin spearheaded the drive to build the Lincoln Highway, along with Henry B. Joy of Packard Motors. While Chapin viewed a system of professionally designed and built roadways as the greatest way to grow the automobile industry, he also saw the modern roadways movement as a way to secure long range strength for the United States as a nation.
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