Udall, Stewart

Udall, Stewart (Lee) (1920–  ) conservationist, public official; born in St. John, Ariz. Son of a jurist who became chief justice of Arizona, he served in the air force during World War II. He practiced law for several years before winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives (Dem., Ariz.; 1955–61) where he developed a reputation as a conservation advocate. As secretary of the interior in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations (1961–69), he curbed abuses in the sale and exploitation of public lands and reformed the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He became a private conservation consultant in 1969.