# 1867 FDC - 1985 39c Great Americans: Grenville Clark
An advocate of world peace, Grenville Clark established the "Plattsburgh Plan," a program which trained business and professional men to be officers in the Army. He and other prestigious businessmen used their own money to pay for food and uniforms for the training camps.
Happy Birthday Grenville Clark
Clark was born into a wealthy family and attended Harvard Law School. There he befriended future Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter, who would become a lifelong friend and unofficial uncle to Clark’s children.
After graduating from Harvard, Clark co-founded the law firm of Root, Clark, and Bird. They later merged with Buckner and Howland and their practice became one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation. While initially dealing with traditional litigation, they began taking cases in bankruptcy, reorganization, and New Deal regulations during the Depression. They also built up a corporate practice and eventually had 74 associates.
As World War I approached, Clark dedicated himself to preparing America for the conflict, serving as a major in the Adjutant General’s Department of the US Army. He also helped to establish the Citizens’ Military Training Camp in Plattsburgh, New York. This was part of his “Plattsburgh Plan,” a program that trained business and professional men to be officers in the Army. He and other prestigious businessmen used their own money to pay for food and uniforms for the training camps.
From 1940-41, Clark served as the chairman of the National Emergency Committee for Selective Service. In that position he helped draft the Selective Service Act of 1940, the nation’s first peacetime conscription law. He also worked toward American military preparedness and was a confidential counsel to the secretary of War.
An advocate of world peace, Grenville Clark established the "Plattsburgh Plan," a program which trained business and professional men to be officers in the Army. He and other prestigious businessmen used their own money to pay for food and uniforms for the training camps.
Happy Birthday Grenville Clark
Clark was born into a wealthy family and attended Harvard Law School. There he befriended future Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter, who would become a lifelong friend and unofficial uncle to Clark’s children.
After graduating from Harvard, Clark co-founded the law firm of Root, Clark, and Bird. They later merged with Buckner and Howland and their practice became one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation. While initially dealing with traditional litigation, they began taking cases in bankruptcy, reorganization, and New Deal regulations during the Depression. They also built up a corporate practice and eventually had 74 associates.
As World War I approached, Clark dedicated himself to preparing America for the conflict, serving as a major in the Adjutant General’s Department of the US Army. He also helped to establish the Citizens’ Military Training Camp in Plattsburgh, New York. This was part of his “Plattsburgh Plan,” a program that trained business and professional men to be officers in the Army. He and other prestigious businessmen used their own money to pay for food and uniforms for the training camps.
From 1940-41, Clark served as the chairman of the National Emergency Committee for Selective Service. In that position he helped draft the Selective Service Act of 1940, the nation’s first peacetime conscription law. He also worked toward American military preparedness and was a confidential counsel to the secretary of War.