Henry Parker Willis
Encyclopedia
Henry Parker Willis, Ph. D. (1874 – 1937) was an American
financial expert, born at Weymouth, Massachusetts
, the son of Universalist minister and suffragist
Olympia Brown
. He graduated from the University of Chicago
with a Ph.D in 1897.
Willis taught economics and political science at Washington and Lee University
. He was professor of economics at George Washington University
and lectured at Columbia University
, becoming a Professor of Economics there in 1919.
He served as an expert to the Ways and Means
and Banking and Currency committees of the United States House of Representatives
, and in other positions. Willis was the first Secretary of the Federal Reserve Board, serving between 1914 and 1918.
Willis also served as the first president of the Philippine National Bank
. In 1926, he was appointed the chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into Banking and the Issue of Notes, a committee established by the government of the Irish Free State
to determine what changes were necessary in relation to banking and banknote issue, which recommended the creation of a new currency for the state.
His writings include:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
financial expert, born at Weymouth, Massachusetts
Weymouth, Massachusetts
The Town of Weymouth is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, Weymouth had a total population of 53,743. Despite its city status, it is formally known as the Town of Weymouth...
, the son of Universalist minister and suffragist
Women's suffrage
Women's suffrage or woman suffrage is the right of women to vote and to run for office. The expression is also used for the economic and political reform movement aimed at extending these rights to women and without any restrictions or qualifications such as property ownership, payment of tax, or...
Olympia Brown
Olympia Brown
Olympia Brown was an American suffragist. She is regarded as the first woman to graduate from a theological school, as well as becoming the first full time ordained minister...
. He graduated from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
with a Ph.D in 1897.
Willis taught economics and political science at Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia, United States.The classical school from which Washington and Lee descended was established in 1749 as Augusta Academy, about north of its present location. In 1776 it was renamed Liberty Hall in a burst of...
. He was professor of economics at George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
and lectured at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, becoming a Professor of Economics there in 1919.
He served as an expert to the Ways and Means
United States House Committee on Ways and Means
The Committee of Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Members of the Ways and Means Committee are not allowed to serve on any other House Committees unless they apply for a waiver from their party's congressional leadership...
and Banking and Currency committees of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, and in other positions. Willis was the first Secretary of the Federal Reserve Board, serving between 1914 and 1918.
Willis also served as the first president of the Philippine National Bank
Philippine National Bank
The Philippine National Bank is one of the largest banks in the Philippines, ranking fourth in terms of assets...
. In 1926, he was appointed the chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into Banking and the Issue of Notes, a committee established by the government of the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
to determine what changes were necessary in relation to banking and banknote issue, which recommended the creation of a new currency for the state.
His writings include:
- History of the Latin Monetary Union (1901)
- Reciprocity (1903), with J. L. Laughlin
- Our Philippine Problem (1905)
- Principles and Problems of Modern Banking (1910)
- Life of Stephen A. Douglas (1911)
- The Federal Reserve (1915)
- American Banking (1916)