Robert Coldwell Wood

Robert Coldwell Wood

American political scientist and statesman
Date of Birth: 16.09.1923
Country: USA

Content:
  1. Robert C. Wood
  2. Early Life and Military Service
  3. Education and Academic Career
  4. Government Service
  5. Later Career and Legacy

Robert C. Wood

American political scientist and public servant Robert C. Wood was a prominent figure in the field of urban policy. His distinguished career included stints as a professor, government official, and university president.

Early Life and Military Service

Robert C. Wood was born on February 19, 1923, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He attended Princeton University, but his studies were interrupted by World War II. Wood served in the US Army during the Battle of the Bulge, earning a Bronze Star Medal for his bravery.

Education and Academic Career

After completing his military service, Wood returned to Princeton and graduated in 1948. He went on to earn a Master's degree in Public Administration and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Harvard University. In 1965, he joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a professor of political science, where he remained until 1969.

Government Service

In 1969, President Richard Nixon appointed Wood as the US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In this role, Wood oversaw the implementation of the Model Cities Program and the Fair Housing Act. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in addressing urban issues and promoting social justice.

Later Career and Legacy

After leaving HUD in 1970, Wood served as the president of the University of Massachusetts Amherst from 1970 to 1977. Throughout his career, he authored numerous influential works in political science and urban architecture, and he also served as superintendent of the Boston Public Schools from 1978 to 1980.

Robert C. Wood passed away on June 16, 2005, leaving a lasting legacy as a dedicated public servant and a leading scholar in the field of urban policy. His contributions to addressing social issues and promoting community development continue to shape American cities to this day.

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