Born in Washington, D.C., on February 25, 1888, John Foster Dulles came from a family of clerics and politicians. His father was a Presbyterian minister, and his maternal grandfather served as secretary of state under Benjamin Harrison. Dulles went to Princeton University, followed by George Washington University Law School. With the help of his grandfather, he gained employment at the Sullivan & Cromwell law firm, where he quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming sole managing partner of the firm. Dulles always had political aims, however, and gained experience dealing with politicians under his grandfather’s tutelage. He advised Thomas Dewey throughout his election campaign in 1948 and was active in drafting the Charter of the United Nations. He also served as U.S. delegate to the United Nations for three years. He thought his chance to become a major political player had arrived in 1949 when Governor Dewey appointed him as a New York senator after a resignation left the position vacant, but he lost the seat in the following election. He then decided to confine his political activity to appointed positions. When Dwight Eisenhower became president in 1953, he appointed Dulles secretary of state. During his time in that position, Dulles revolutionized American foreign policy and set in motion policy trends that continue to this day. He died shortly after retiring from office, on May 24, 1959.