Ford, Henry, II

Ford, Henry, II

(1917–87) automobile maker; born in Detroit, Mich. (grandson of Henry Ford, 1863–1947). Upon the death of his father, Edsel Bryant Ford, he gained control of the Ford Motor Company from his grandfather and his Rasputin-like assistant, Harry Bennett. As president (1945–60) and chairman (1960–80), he reorganized and revitalized the company, making it into the second leading automobile maker in the U.S.A.