Research

Administrative History

Charles Van Devander, the Executive Assistant to Governor W. Averell Harriman, served as the Governor's press secretary. From 1941 to 1950, Van Devander was the chief of the Washington Bureau of the New York Post, and from 1950 to 1952 he was publicity director of the Democratic National Committee. During the 1952 presidential campaign, he served on the White House staff as a special consultant to President Harry Truman, and he handled press relations during Harriman's 1954 gubernatorial campaign.

Van Devander was the Governor's chief liaison with the press. He prepared the Governor's statements to the press and answered questions from the press concerning the Governor's position on various issues. He prepared the press releases issued from the Governor's office. He traveled with Governor Harriman on his speech making tours and helped write many of the Governor's speeches. He also assisted the Governor in making policy decisions.