Clarence Dillon

by Robert C. Perez

Clarence Dillon rose from obscure beginnings to expand a small firm into the Wall Street juggernaut Dillon, Read, & Co., Inc. This fascinating biography traces Dillon's life from his origins as the son of Polish immigrants through his brilliant career on Wall Street to his mysterious withdrawal from the business scene prior to the crash of the stockmarket in 1929. Daring, secretive, cunning, and cautious, Dillon was characterized as "very cold and aloof," yet he bailed out many of his partners and associates who were forced into personal bankruptcy after the Crash. After he liquidated his investments, Dillon spent his time developing his cultural life while preserving his wealth and influencing international events. He associated with such notable figures as James Forrestal and Paul Nitze. Perez and Willett capture the dazzling world of high finance in the Roaring Twenties.