Background
Walen, Harry Leonard was born on June 26, 1915 in Winchester, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Harry Leonard and Alice (Garland) Walen.
Walen, Harry Leonard was born on June 26, 1915 in Winchester, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Harry Leonard and Alice (Garland) Walen.
AB cum laude, Harvard University, 1937; AM, Harvard University, 1942.
Teacher, Los Alamos (New Mexico) Ranch School, 1937-1942; head English department, Los Alamos (New Mexico) Ranch School, 1939-1942; teacher English, Groton (Massachusetts) School, 1942-1946; instructor English, faculty marshal, Newton Junior College, 1946-1951; teacher English and journalism, Newton High School, Newtonville, Massachusetts, 1946-1951; administrator, Newton High School, Newtonville, Massachusetts, 1951-1955; directing editor secondary school English textbooks, Ginn and Company, Boston, 1955-1961; principal, Needham (Massachusetts) High School, 1961-1972; career and post secondary guidance counselor, Needham (Massachusetts) High School, 1972-1979. Member Regional Interviewing Committee for Overseas Grants and Fellowships, 1961-1984. Member planning committee Task Force on High School Graduation Requirements, Mass Department Education, 1976-1980.
Alderman City of Newton, Massachusetts, 1961-1972. Corporation member United States Ship Massachusetts Memorial Committee, Inc., since 1972, board director, 1984-1991, honorary director, since 1995. Chairman education committee Northeast Conference National Conference of Christians and Jews, 1972-1982, member study mission to Israel, 1974.
Vice chairman New England Conference on Quality of Life, Boston, 1973. Member Newton Regional Advisory Manpower Planning Board, 1973-1977. President counseling service Young Men’s Christian Association, Greater Boston, 1976-1977.
Chairman Newton Highlands Board Christian Education, 1974-1975. President board trustees weekday church school. 1st Congressional Church, Rockport, Massachusetts, church historian, 1982-2002.
Delegate Massachusetts Conference United Church Christ, 1989-1996. Member National Council Teacher English (associate chairman national convention 1965, chairman, co-founder Emeritus Assembly 1979-1983, various other committees and offices, Citation 1969), National Association Secondary School Principal, Headmasters Association (life), New England Association Teacher English (life, past president, chairman annual C. S. Thomas award committee 1975-1996, historian since 1978, Thomas award 1978), Massachusetts Secondary School Principals Association (diploma standards committee 1973-1978, Bronze plaque 1974), Massachusetts Council Teacher English (co-founder), Massachusetts Schoolmasters Club (past president, honorary life), MENSA, Friends of Jackson Homestead, Newton History Society (life, past president), Los Alamos (New Mexico) History Society (life), Sandy Bay History Society (president 1983-1986), Greater Boston Guidance Club (honorary), National Gavel Society, New England History and Genealogical Society, Sons of the American Revolution (president state 1979-1981, national trustee 1981-1983, historian general 1983-1986, secretary Museum Board 1982-1988, Minuteman award 1985), General Society Mayflower Descendants (member national executive committee 1990-1993), Massachusetts Society Mayflower Descendants (governor 1985-1988, deputy governor general 1988-1993), Pilgrim John Howland Society (president 1987-1999, president emeritus since 1999, led pilgrimage to England, 1989), Massachusetts Huguenot Society (president 1990-1992, national delegate 1983-1992), Descendants Colonial Clergy, Society Colonial Wars, Navy League United States (life), Sons and Daughters of 1st Settlers of Newbury (president 1982-1984), Piscataqua Pioneers (president 1990-1991), Order of Crown of Charlemagne, Order Founders and Patriots (national treasurer 1978-1981, deputy governor general 1981-1984, executive committee 1992-2000, councillor general Massachusetts since 1984, New Hampshire, 1987-1990, 93—, governor 1992-1995, councillor general since 1993, National Distinguished Service award 1996), Boston Athenaeum, Harvard Club, Boston Authors Club (president 1995-1996), English Lunch Club (president 1975-1982), Friday Evening Club (most venerable 1979-1986), Sandy Bay Yacht Club, Masons (32d degree, 50-Year award).
Married Elizabeth Rowe Benson, June 26, 1939. Children: Harry Benson, Kimball Frederick, Robert Leonard.