William Amory Underhill
Encyclopedia
William Amory Underhill (February 21, 1910 – September 7, 1999) was a public servant, lobbyist, and philanthropist prominent in his native Florida
and in Washington, D.C.
.
After graduating from Stetson University
in DeLand
, Florida in 1936 with a bachelor's degree in law
(LLB), Underhill worked as a local attorney in DeLand until the outbreak of World War II
. During World War II, Underhill served as a Lieutenant Commander
in the U.S. Navy
, shepherding prisoners of war across the Atlantic, until 1944 when he was assigned to then-Senator Harry S. Truman
, who was campaigning for the Vice Presidency.
After Truman assumed the Presidency, and following the end of the war in 1945, Truman named Underhill to lead the National Young Democrats
. Following a year in that post, Underhill joined the U.S. Justice Department
, working his way up to the Assistant Attorney General level.
In 1952, Underhill left the Justice Department to work as a lobbyist, particularly for Florida citrus concerns. In that capacity until his death, Underhill represented citrus growers on numerous issues, including the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA).
In later years, Underhill was well known for his support of numerous charitable causes, including his alma mater Stetson University, St. Leo College, and Florida House in Washington, D.C. Having divided his time between DeLand, Florida and Washington, D.C. for decades, Underhill died at his DeLand home on September 7, 1999 of natural causes.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
After graduating from Stetson University
Stetson University
Stetson University is a private university with four colleges and schools located across the I-4 corridor in Central Florida. The primary undergraduate campus is located in DeLand, Florida, USA. In the 2012 U.S...
in DeLand
DeLand, Florida
DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 24,375. It is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 436,575 in 2006...
, Florida in 1936 with a bachelor's degree in law
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
(LLB), Underhill worked as a local attorney in DeLand until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. During World War II, Underhill served as a Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
in the U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, shepherding prisoners of war across the Atlantic, until 1944 when he was assigned to then-Senator Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
, who was campaigning for the Vice Presidency.
After Truman assumed the Presidency, and following the end of the war in 1945, Truman named Underhill to lead the National Young Democrats
Young Democrats of America
The Young Democrats of America , founded in 1932, is the official youth arm of the Democratic Party of the United States, although it severed official ties with the Democratic National Committee following passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 and became an independent 527 group...
. Following a year in that post, Underhill joined the U.S. Justice Department
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
, working his way up to the Assistant Attorney General level.
In 1952, Underhill left the Justice Department to work as a lobbyist, particularly for Florida citrus concerns. In that capacity until his death, Underhill represented citrus growers on numerous issues, including the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994. It superseded the Canada – United States Free Trade Agreement...
(NAFTA).
In later years, Underhill was well known for his support of numerous charitable causes, including his alma mater Stetson University, St. Leo College, and Florida House in Washington, D.C. Having divided his time between DeLand, Florida and Washington, D.C. for decades, Underhill died at his DeLand home on September 7, 1999 of natural causes.