Kennedy, Joseph P(atrick) 1888-1969
US businessman and diplomat

Born in Boston, grandson of an Irish Catholic immigrant and the son of a Boston publican, he was educated at Harvard. He married Rose Fitzgerald in 1914, daughter of a local politician, John F Fitzgerald ('Honey Fitz', twice Mayor of Boston), also of Irish immigrant descent. They had nine children, including John F, Robert F and Edward Kennedy. He made a large fortune in the 1920s through business ventures and stock market speculation, and during the 1930s was a strong supporter of Franklin D Roosevelt and the 'New Deal', being rewarded with minor administrative posts, and the ambassadorship to Britain (1938-40). After World War II he concentrated on fulfilling his ambitions of a political dynasty through his sons and placed his large fortune at their disposal for that purpose. His eldest son, Joseph Patrick (1915-44), was killed in a flying accident while on naval service in World War II, but the others achieved international fame.

Bibliography: David E Koskoff, Joseph P Kennedy: A Life and Times (1974)