| After leaving office, the former President returned to Independence, Missouri, devoting his time to writing, lecturing, and continuing to try to influence the politics and policies of the nation. On July 6, 1957, the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, built with his encouragement and collaboration, was presented to the Federal Government along with his personal papers and mementos. Truman had his office in the Library until his death on December 26, 1972. The Library is operated by the National Archives and Records Service of the General Services Administration as a research center and museum. |
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Harry S. Truman was, both during his term of office and since, a
controversial President with a complete array of friends and detractors.
Most of them seem to base their judgment primarily on Truman's foreign
policy decisions. The detractors bemoan America's failure to establish
some sort of warmer relations with the Soviet Union. The friendlier
critics praise the abilities he had to make firm decisions and to enforce
them - to be a strong national leader. Over the years since 1953 Truman
has attracted many more admirers than critics. In several polls since 1962,
he has been rated by American historians and political scientists as one of
the ten best Presidents in our history.
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