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Stephen Early
Historical Figure
Nationality: United States
Year of Birth: 1889
Year of Death: 1951
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Occupation: Journalist, politician
Spouse: Helen
Children: Three
Relatives: Jubal Early (grandfather)
Military Branch: United States Army (World War I)
Political Party: Democratic Party
Fictional Appearances:
The Hot War
POD: November, 1950
Appearance(s): Bombs Away
Type of Appearance: Direct

Stephen Tyree Early (August 27, 1889 – August 11, 1951) was a U.S. journalist and government official. He served as White House Press Secretary under President Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1933 to 1945 and again under President Harry Truman in December, 1950.

Early began his career as a reporter for the Associated Press. He first met Franklin D. Roosevelt at the 1912 Democratic National Convention, and maintained ties to Roosevelt while covering the Navy department. He served during World War I, and became an advance man for Roosevelt's 1920 Vice President campaign. When Roosevelt was elected President in 1932, he asked Early to be one of three press secretaries. He held the position throughout Roosevelt's lengthy presidency, leaving government service in June 1945. He returned to the government as Under Secretary, later Deputy Secretary of Defense from April 1949 to June 1950, during the Truman Administration. He became the Press Secretary again in December 1950, after the sudden death of Charlie Ross. His second term was only a matter of weeks, lasting from December 5 through December 18, 1950. He died the following August of a heart attack.

Stephen Early in The Hot War[]

Stephen Early briefly came out of retirement to become White House Press Secretary again in December 1950, after the unexpected death of Charlie Ross. He stayed in the position until the following year. He was present when President Harry Truman announced to the country that he'd authorized the use of atomic weapons in Manchuria on January 23, 1951.[1]

Early retired again in the spring of 1951. He was succeeded by Joseph Short.[2]

References[]

  1. Bombs Away, pgs. 58-61, ebook.
  2. Ibid., pg. 270.
Political offices
(OTL)
Preceded by
Theodore Goldsmith Joslin
White House Press Secretary
1933-1945
Succeeded by
J. Leonard Reinsch
Preceded by
Charlie Ross
White House Press Secretary
December 1950
Succeeded by
Joseph Short
Preceded by
New office
United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
1949-1950
Succeeded by
Robert A. Lovett
Political offices
(The Hot War)
Preceded by
Charlie Ross
White House Press Secretary
December 1950-April 1951
Succeeded by
Joseph Short
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