Herbert Pell

Article summary

Herbert Claiborne Pell Jr. (February 16, 1884 – July 17, 1961) was a United States representative from New York, U.S. Minister to Portugal, U.S. Minister to Hungary, and a creator and member of the United Nations War Crimes Commission. A native of New York City and a member of the prominent and wealthy Lorillard and Claiborne families, Pell was educated at Connecticut's Pomfret School and attended Harvard University, Columbia University, and New York University. Originally active in politics as a Progressive, he later became a Democrat. In 1918, Pell was elected to Congress, and he served from 1919 to 1921. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1920. Pell continued to remain active in politics, and was chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee from 1921 to 1926 and a delegate to the 1924 Democratic National Convention. He served as vice chairman of the Democratic National Campaign Committee for the 1936 elections. In 1937, Pell was appointed as Minister to Portugal, where he served from May 27, 1937, until February 11, 1941, when he was appointed Minister to Hungary. In December 1941, Pell received Hungary's declaration of war against the United States, closed the embassy and returned to the United States. He formally resigned in November 1942. From 1942 to 1945, Pell was the United States representative on the United Nations War Crimes Commission.…

Key claims

1. date of birth: 1884-02-16 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
2. date of birth: 1858 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
3. date of death: 1961-07-17 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
4. date of death: 1945-04-12 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
5. date of death: 1961-07-17 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the date of birth is "1884-02-16". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. The record states that the date of birth is "1858". What evidence would count against this claim?
4. The record states that the date of death is "1961-07-17". What evidence would count against this claim?
5. The record states that the date of death is "1945-04-12". What evidence would count against this claim?
6. The record states that the date of death is "1961-07-17". What evidence would count against this claim?
7. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
8. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1374972751