The Artist and the Nobel Laureate: Painting Cordell Hull
The Secretary’s Monochrome Portrait
While serving as a Navy Artist (Specialist Second Class) during World War II, Dr. Hilton was tasked with painting the portrait of the legendary Cordell Hull.
Having dealt with picky subjects in the past—including a General who once demanded his eyes be painted "bluer"—Fritz had developed a brilliant strategy to avoid subjective complaints: he stopped painting in color. Instead, he rendered the Secretary’s portrait in Payne’s Gray, a sophisticated monochrome palette. This artistic choice removed the "crap" of minor critiques and allowed the focus to remain on the dignity of the statesman.
The story comes full circle years later when the portrait, which had been cherished by the Secretary until his death, was finally returned to Dr. Hilton’s hands, where it remains a prized piece of his personal history today.
Cordell Hull (1871–1955)
"The Father of the United Nations"
Longest-Serving Secretary of State: Hull held the position for nearly 12 years (1933–1944) under President Franklin D. Roosevelt—a record that still stands today.
The 1945 Nobel Peace Prize: Hull was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his "indefatigable work" in international understanding. He was the driving force behind the planning and creation of the United Nations.
A Global Visionary: President Roosevelt nicknamed him the "Father of the United Nations" because of his commitment to creating a world organization that could prevent a third World War.
The "Good Neighbor": Before the UN, he was famous for the "Good Neighbor Policy," which transformed U.S. relations with Latin America from intervention to cooperation.
The Big Red at Cornell
Bird Migration & Nesting Habits
Philopatry: Red-tailed hawks are known for returning to the same nesting site year after year, often adding new sticks to the structure until it becomes quite massive.
Migration: While some Red-tails are year-round residents (especially in places like Kentucky), others are short-distance migrants that may fly as far south as Central or South America.
Nest Threats: Dr. Hilton notes that nests can be damaged by high winds, taken over by squirrels, or disturbed by humans.
Dr. Hilton is discussing the famous Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Specifically, he is referring to the famous hawk named "Big Red," who has nested on the Cornell campus for years.
Despite a massive renovation of the Cornell Athletic Complex, which involved heavy machinery and towering cranes, the hawks showed remarkable resilience. Instead of being driven away by the construction, the male hawk (often referred to as Arthur) was frequently seen navigating the cranes and steel structures to return to his mate and their nest.
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