Background
Whiting was born on July 20, 1864, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He was the son of Massachusetts politician and businessman William Whiting and his wife Anna Morgan (née Fairfield).
United States Secretary of Commerce
Whiting was born on July 20, 1864, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He was the son of Massachusetts politician and businessman William Whiting and his wife Anna Morgan (née Fairfield).
He attended Amherst College and graduated in the class of 1896 alongside future Secretary of State Robert Lansing.
When Whiting"s father, who organized the Whiting Paper Company, became president of that business, William Fairfield Whiting became treasurer. Whiting was appointed as President Coolidge"s Secretary of Commerce after the resignation of Herbert Hoover surprised the Washington establishment. The position was predicted to go to Hoover"s preferred candidate, Doctor Julius Klein, the director of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.
Former Senator William Butler of Massachusetts turned down the post before Coolidge offered it to Whiting.
His appointment was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 11, 1928. During his first press interview after his appointent, Whiting stated, "My policies will be Mr.
Hoover"s policies." As Secretary, he headed President Coolidge"s delegation to the International Conference on Civil Aeronatics.