The Presidents and Presidency of the United States

Forty years ago today, at the direction of President Nixon, Elliot L. Richardson (1920-99) left his post as the 9th Secretary of Health to become the 11th Secretary of Defense. Less than four months later, he was again changing jobs, becoming the 69th Attorney General. And once again, he was a short-time Cabinet Secretary, resigning in October 1973. Just over two years later, President Ford made Richardson unique in US history, appointing him to head a fourth Cabinet Department. Richardson was the 23rd Secretary of Commerce for just under one year, leaving office with Ford.