William McChesney Martin

At-a-Glance

Served as the 9th Chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1951 to 1970, becoming the longest holder of that position.
Became president of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at age 31.
Appointed Director of the Export-Import Bank by President Harry S. Truman, serving from 1946 to 1949.
Elected to the NYSE's board of governors in 1935, working with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on market regulation.
Graduated from Yale University.

Biography

William McChesney Martin Jr. was the 9th chairman of the Federal Reserve, holding the position from 1951 to 1970, making him the longest-serving chairman in the institution's history. He was initially nominated by President Harry S.

Truman and subsequently reappointed by four of Truman's successors. Martin's family had a deep connection to the Federal Reserve; his father helped draft the Federal Reserve Act in 1913 and later served as a governor and president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St.