Vinson, Fred

Vinson, Fred(erick Moore)

(born Jan. 22, 1890, Louisa, Ky., U.S.—died Sept. 8, 1953, Washington, D.C.) U.S. jurist. He served in Congress for all but two years during the period 1923 to 1938. After serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals (1938–43), he held high executive positions, including secretary of the treasury under Pres. Harry Truman. He helped establish the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund. From 1946 to 1953 he was chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. During his tenure he favoured Truman's internal security policies and upheld the equal-protection rights of racial minorities.