George M. Leader (1918-2013)
York Township, York County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Governor of Pennsylvania (1955-59) and state senator (1950-54). Leader’s administration was noted for growth in state aid to education and progressive reforms to civil service, the state park system, and state psychiatric hospitals. It also created the Council for Fair Employment Practices and Pa. Industrial Development Authority. Born here on his family farm, Leader later established nursing and retirement communities across the state.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
George M. Leader rose from a York County poultry farm to the Pennsylvania governorship, serving from 1955 to 1959 after a term in the state senate. His administration pushed a wave of mid-century reforms — expanding state aid to schools, modernizing civil service, growing the park system, and improving care in state psychiatric hospitals. He also helped establish a state fair-employment council and an industrial development authority to spur jobs. After leaving office, Leader built a second career founding nursing and retirement communities across the state.
Why it matters
Leader embodied the postwar generation of reform-minded governors who modernized state government and broadened its responsibilities to citizens, from schoolchildren to hospital patients.
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