Colonel Chauncey Munroe Ransom, an insurance journalist and publisher, perhaps more than anyone else, deserves credit for bringing these men together.  At the time he was editor of the Standard, a Boston insurance journal.  Having initiated the formation of the Boston Life Underwriters Association and encouraged similar foundations in other parts of the country, Ransom had a well-deserved reputation as a prime mover in the association movement. Undoubtedly, it was he who urged the executive committee of the Boston association to invite members of the Philadelphia and New York associations to consider the feasibility of uniting the regional life underwriters' associations into a national body.

Representatives of the three organizations met at the Parker House on April 8, 1890.  Besides Ransom and Carpenter, the Bostonians present were David Holway, William H. Dyer, Charles W. Holden, D.W. Kilburn and Darwin Bernard.  George F. Hadley, Gilford Morse and Tilden Blodgett represented New York; Everett Plummer and F.A. Howard formed the Philadelphia contingent.  If any merit the title "founders of the NALU," it is these twelve gentlemen.

As Blodgett explained at the opening session of the convention, "After a thorough and earnest discussion of the merit of forming a national association, it was unanimously decided that the time was ripe... and a committee was appointed to call such an association of delegates from the different representative bodies throughout the United States to meet here in Boston."  Blodgett, Ransom, Holway and Plummer formed the committee to organize the first meeting.  Plummer served as secretary for the committee.  Fourteen associations responded to their invitation.*

Foreword by Alan Press, 1988-1989 NALU President

Preface by Jack E. Bobo, 1989 NALU Executive Vice President

Introduction

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1

Laying the Foundation—A Meeting at the Parker House

Leading Figures—Ransom, Carpenter, Blodgett and Plummer

Conditions Leading to the Foundation of the NALU

Rise of Modern Life Insurance and the General Agency System

Issues and Accomplishments of the First 15 Years

Chapter 2

In the Wake of the Armstrong Investigation

A Royal Commission Investigates Life Insurance Operations in Canada

A Period of Growth and Visibility for the NALU Under Strong Leadership

The NALU Plays a Leading Role in Insurance Education

The NALU During World War I

Chapter 3

The Post-War Decade

The NALU's Extension of Activity

The Agents Move for Recognition

Chapter 4

The Depression and Aftermath

Annual Conventions and Midyear Meetings

The NALU Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

Chapter 5

The Agents Earn Their Wings

World War II

The NALU Joins the Industry in Legislative Battles

The NALU Establishes the National Quality Award

Chapter 6

Controversies and Schisms (1946-1956)

The Foundation of LUTC

The Nola Patterson Affair

GAMC Formally Organized

Chapter 7

The NALU Goes to Washington

Dispute Over Minimum Deposit Insurance Plans

GAMC Stages First LAMP Meeting

The NALU Celebrates Its Diamond Jubilee Year

The NALU Increases Political Activity

U.S. Senate Antitrust and Monopoly Subcommittee Investigate Life Insurance

The NALU Responds to Consumerist Activism

Chapter 8

The NALU Reaches the Century Mark

FTC Releases a Study Critical of the Insurance Industry

Formation of the Women Life Underwriters Conference

Drop in Local Membership

The NALU Issues Statements on AIDS

The NALU Combats a New Wave of Attacks

The NALU Celebrates a Century of Service

Open Book

Short Takes

Book Marks

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