Arthur Altmeyer

Arthur Altmeyer was a prominent American economist and government official, best known for his role in shaping the United States' social security system, working closely with Franklin D. Roosevelt, Frances Perkins, and Harry Hopkins. Altmeyer's work was influenced by the Great Depression, the New Deal, and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. He collaborated with notable figures such as John Maynard Keynes, Milton Friedman, and Paul Samuelson to develop economic policies.

● Early Life and Education

Altmeyer was born in De Pere, Wisconsin, and grew up in a family of modest means, similar to Harry Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. He attended University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he studied economics under the guidance of John R. Commons and Richard T. Ely. Altmeyer's education was also influenced by the works of Karl Marx, Adam Smith, and John Stuart Mill. He later earned his graduate degree from University of Wisconsin–Madison, and began his career as a researcher at the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Institute for Research on Poverty, working alongside Gunnar Myrdal and Alva Myrdal.

● Career

Altmeyer's career spanned several decades, during which he worked with various government agencies, including the Federal Reserve System, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Commerce. He was a member of the National Industrial Recovery Administration, and played a key role in shaping the National Recovery Administration's policies, working closely with Hugh S. Johnson and Donald Richberg. Altmeyer also collaborated with international organizations, such as the International Labour Organization and the United Nations, on issues related to economic development and social security, alongside David Morse and Juan Somavía.

● Social Security Administration

Altmeyer was a key figure in the development of the Social Security Act of 1935, working closely with Franklin D. Roosevelt, Frances Perkins, and Robert F. Wagner. He served as the Chairman of the Social Security Board from 1937 to 1946, and played a crucial role in implementing the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program, which was influenced by the British National Insurance Act and the German social security system. Altmeyer worked with other notable figures, such as Wilbur J. Cohen and Robert M. Ball, to develop and implement social security policies, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

● Legacy

Altmeyer's legacy is closely tied to the development of the United States' social security system, which has been influenced by the Bismarckian welfare state and the Beveridge Report. He is remembered as a pioneer in the field of social security, and his work has had a lasting impact on the lives of millions of Americans, similar to the impact of Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society programs. Altmeyer's contributions to the field of economics and social security have been recognized by organizations such as the American Economic Association and the National Academy of Social Insurance, which was founded by Robert M. Ball and Nelson Cruikshank.

● Personal Life

Altmeyer was married to Gertrude Altmeyer, and had two children, Arthur Altmeyer Jr. and Elizabeth Altmeyer. He was a close friend and colleague of Frances Perkins, and the two often discussed issues related to social security and labor policy, including the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act. Altmeyer was also an avid supporter of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and served on the board of the University of Wisconsin Foundation, alongside Fred Harvey Harrington and Edwin E. Witte. He passed away in Madison, Wisconsin, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering economist and social security expert, similar to Milton Friedman and Paul Samuelson. Category:American economists