Robert W. Welch Jr.
Bob Welch | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Henry Winborne Welch Jr. December 1, 1899 |
| Died | January 6, 1985 (aged 85) |
| Education | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA) United States Naval Academy Harvard University |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Marian Probert |
| Children | 2 |
Robert Henry Winborne Welch Jr. (December 1, 1899 – January 6, 1985) was an American businessman, political organizer, and conspiracy theorist. He was wealthy following his retirement from the candy business and used his wealth to sponsor anti-communist causes. He co-founded the John Birch Society (JBS), an American right-wing political advocacy group, in 1958 and tightly controlled it until his death. He was highly controversial and criticized by liberals, as well as some conservatives, including William F. Buckley Jr. only after being an early donor to Buckley's National Review in the 1950s.