Editing United States Postmaster General

{{Mdy|date=November 2024}}
{{short description|Chief executive of the US Postal Service}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = United States Postmaster General
| insignia = 
| insigniasize = 
| insigniacaption = 
| image = 
| incumbent = [[Doug Tulino]]<br />{{small|Acting}}<!-- [[David P. Steiner]] -->
| incumbentsince = March 25, 2025<!-- July 2025 -->
| department = [[United States Postal Service]]
| style = Postmaster General
| status = [[Chief executive]]
| member_of = [[Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service]]
| seat = [[L'Enfant Plaza|475 L'Enfant Plaza SW]], [[Washington, D.C.]] 20260
| appointer = Board of Governors
| termlength = No fixed term
| first = [[Benjamin Franklin]]
| constituting_instrument = [[Postal Reorganization Act]] of 1970, {{usc|39|203}}
| formation = 1775
| deputy = Deputy Postmaster General
| salary = $303,460<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/15/politics/dejoy-usps-hires/index.html | title= DeJoy hired four people who worked for his businesses to work at USPS | website= [[CNN]] | date= September 15, 2020 | access-date= September 16, 2020 | archive-date= September 16, 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200916062833/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/15/politics/dejoy-usps-hires/index.html | url-status= live }}</ref>
}}
The '''United States postmaster general''' ('''PMG''') is the [[chief executive officer]] of the [[United States Postal Service]] (USPS).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/39/203|title=39 U.S. Code § 203 – Postmaster General; Deputy Postmaster General|access-date=2020-08-20|archive-date=2022-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203101331/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/39/203|url-status=live}}</ref> The PMG is responsible for managing and directing the day-to-day operations of the agency.

The PMG is selected and appointed by the [[Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service|Board of Governors of the Postal Service]], which is appointed by the president. The postmaster general then also sits on the board. The PMG does not serve at the president's pleasure and can only be dismissed by the Board of Governors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Members of the Board of Governors – Who we are  |url=https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/board-governors/ |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=about.usps.com |archive-date=2020-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116050834/https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/board-governors/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The appointment of the postmaster general does not require Senate confirmation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Board of Governors Announces Selection of Louis DeJoy to Serve as Nation's 75th Postmaster General  |url=https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2020/0506-bog-announces-selection-of-louis-dejoy-to-serve-as-nations-75th-postmaster-general.htm |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=about.usps.com – Newsroom |archive-date=2020-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116050851/https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2020/0506-bog-announces-selection-of-louis-dejoy-to-serve-as-nations-75th-postmaster-general.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/39/202|title=39 U.S. Code § 202 – Board of Governors|access-date=2020-08-20|archive-date=2022-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129222436/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/39/202|url-status=live}}</ref> The governors and the postmaster general elect the deputy postmaster general.

The most recent officeholder is [[Louis DeJoy]], who was appointed on June 16, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PMG/CEO Louis DeJoy – Who we are/Leadership  |url=https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/officers/pmg-ceo.htm |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=about.usps.com |archive-date=2022-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324024651/https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/officers/pmg-ceo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> DeJoy resigned on March 24, 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cortellessa |first=Eric |date=2025-03-24 |title=Exclusive: Louis DeJoy Resigns as Postmaster General |url=https://time.com/7271271/louis-dejoy-resigns-postmaster-general/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=Time |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
The office of U.S. postmaster general dates back to country's founding. The first position, during the colonial-era [[British America]], was that of [[Postmaster General of the United Kingdom|Postmaster General]]. [[Benjamin Franklin]] was appointed by the [[Continental Congress]] as the first postmaster general in 1775; he had previously served as deputy postmaster for the [[Thirteen Colonies]] since 1753.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/postal-history/pmg-franklin.pdf |title=Benjamin Franklin – About USPS |date=February 2003 |website=United States Postal Service |publisher=Historian US Postal Service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006013742/https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/postal-history/pmg-franklin.pdf |archive-date=6 October 2019 |access-date=6 October 2019}}</ref> The formal office of the United States postmaster general was established by act of government on September 22, 1789.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/research/post-offices/postmaster-letters-1789-1836.html|title=Letters Sent By the Postmaster General, 1789–1836|work=National Archives and Records Service|date=15 August 2016|access-date=2 September 2023|archive-date=22 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022005013/https://www.archives.gov/research/post-offices/postmaster-letters-1789-1836.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 1829 to 1971, the postmaster general was the head of the [[United States Post Office Department|Post Office Department]] (or simply "Post Office" until the 1820s<ref name="History7506">{{cite book |url=http://about.usps.com/publications/pub100.pdf |title=The United States Postal Service: An American History 1775–2006 |date=2020 |publisher=United States Postal Service |isbn=978-0-9630952-4-4 |access-date=2012-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606044714/http://about.usps.com/publications/pub100.pdf |archive-date=2014-06-06 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|60–65}}) and was a member of the [[President of the United States|president's]] [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]]. During that era, the postmaster general was appointed by the [[president of the United States]], with the [[Advice and Consent Clause|advice and consent]] of the [[United States Senate]].<ref name="History7506" />{{rp|120}} 

After passage of the [[Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act]] in 1883 and prior to the passage of the [[Hatch Act of 1939]],<ref>{{cite book |url=https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1098&context=upk_united_states_history |title=Roosevelt: The Party Leader, 1932–1945 |first=Sean J. |last=Savage |date=1991 |publisher=University Press of Kentucky |isbn=978-0813117553 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709184650/https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1098&context=upk_united_states_history |archive-date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> the postmaster general was in charge of the governing party's [[patronage]] and was a powerful position which held much influence within the party, as exemplified by [[James Farley]]'s tenure from 1933 to 1940 under [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/01/11/archives/farley-and-howe-to-rule-patronage-to-ease-roosevelts-burden-they.html |title=Farley and Howe to Rule Patronage; to Ease Roosevelt's Burden, They Will Meet the Office-seekers at Capital. Working All Next Month. Meantime, Republicans Plan to Reorganize Committees and Start Publicity for 1936. |date=January 11, 1933 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=August 1, 2020 |archive-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306165346/https://www.nytimes.com/1933/01/11/archives/farley-and-howe-to-rule-patronage-to-ease-roosevelts-burden-they.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

After the [[spoils system]] was reformed, the position remained a Cabinet post, and it was often given to a new president's campaign manager or other key political supporters, including [[Arthur Summerfield]], [[W. Marvin Watson]], and [[Larry O'Brien]], each of whom played important roles organizing the campaigns of presidents [[Dwight Eisenhower]], [[John F. Kennedy]], and [[Lyndon B. Johnson]], respectively, and was considered something of a [[sinecure]]. Poet and literary scholar [[Charles Olson]], who served as a [[Democratic National Committee]] official during the [[1944 United States presidential election|1944 U.S. presidential election]], declined the position in January 1945.

In 1971, the Post Office Department was re-organized into the [[United States Postal Service]], an [[Independent agencies of the United States government|independent agency]] of the executive branch, and the postmaster general was no longer a member of the Cabinet<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mailboxnearme.net/history-of-usps/ |title=History of the United States Postal Service |website=Mailbox Near Me |language=en |access-date=2019-11-07 |archive-date=2022-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306203947/https://www.mailboxnearme.net/history-of-usps/ |url-status=live }}</ref> nor in line of [[United States presidential line of succession|presidential succession]]. 

The postmaster general is now appointed by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service, not appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate.<ref name="History7506" />{{rp|120}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/leadership/board-governors.htm |title=About the Board of Governors |publisher=United States Postal Service |access-date=2018-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927084552/http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/leadership/board-governors.htm |archive-date=2011-09-27 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==List of postmasters general==
The following persons held the position of postmaster general:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://about.usps.com/who/profile/history/list-of-postmasters-general.htm |title=List of Postmasters General |publisher=USPS}}</ref>

===Under the Continental Congress (1775–1789)===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!{{Abbr|No.|Number}}
!colspan=2|Name
!Start
!End
|-
|1
|[[File:Benjamin Franklin by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Benjamin|Franklin}}
|{{dts|July 26, 1775}}
|{{dts|November 7, 1776}}
|-
|2
|[[File:Richard Bache (1737-1811) by John Hoppner.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Richard|Bache}}
|{{dts|November 7, 1776}}
|{{dts|January 28, 1782}}
|-
|3
|[[File:Ebenezer Hazard (1744-1817) portrait circa 1800.png|60px]]
|{{sortname|Ebenezer|Hazard}}
|{{dts|January 28, 1782}}
|{{dts|September 26, 1789}}
|}

===US Post Office Department (1789–1971)===
====As non-Cabinet department (1789–1829)====
;Parties
{{legend2|{{party color|Independent (United States)}}|[[Independent politician|Independent]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|{{party color|Federalist Party (United States)}}|[[Federalist Party|Federalist]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|{{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}}|[[Democratic-Republican Party|Democratic-Republican]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!{{Abbr|No.|Number}}
!colspan=3 |Name
!State
!Start
!End
!colspan=2 |[[President of the United States|President(s)]]
|-
|4
|style="background: {{party color|Federalist Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:SOsgood.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Samuel|Osgood}}
|[[Massachusetts]]
|{{dts|September 26, 1789}}
|{{dts|August 12, 1791}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Independent (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|George|Washington}}<br>(1789–1797)
|-
|5
|style="background: {{party color|Federalist Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Timothy-Pickering.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Timothy|Pickering}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|August 12, 1791}}
|{{dts|January 1, 1795}}
|-
|rowspan=3 |6
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Independent (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |[[File:Joseph Habersham.png|60px]]
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Joseph|Habersham}}
|rowspan=3 |[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
|rowspan=3 |{{dts|February 25, 1795}}
|rowspan=3 |{{dts|November 28, 1801}}
|-
|style="background: {{party color|Federalist Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|John|Adams}}<br>(1797–1801)
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Thomas|Jefferson}}<br>(1801–1809)
|-
|rowspan=2 |7
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Gideon Granger.jpg|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Gideon|Granger}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Connecticut]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|November 28, 1801}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 17, 1814}}
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|James|Madison}}<br>(1809–1817)
|-
|rowspan=2 |8
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Return J. Meigs, Jr 002.png|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Return|Meigs|Return J. Meigs Jr.}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Ohio]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 17, 1814}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|June 26, 1823}}
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|James|Monroe}}<br>(1817–1825)
|-
|rowspan=2 |9
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |[[File:JohnMcLean.jpg|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|John|McLean}}
|rowspan=2 |Ohio
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|June 26, 1823}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 4, 1829}}
|-
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|John Quincy|Adams}}<br>(1825–1829)
|}

====As cabinet department (1829–1971)====
;Parties
{{legend2|{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|{{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}|[[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! colspan="2" |{{Abbr|No.|Number}}
!Portrait
!Name
!State
!Start
!End
!colspan=2 |[[President of the United States|President(s)]]
|-
|10
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:William T. Barry by C.B. King.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|William|Barry|William Taylor Barry}}
|[[Kentucky]]
|{{dts|March 9, 1829}}
|{{dts|April 10, 1835}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Andrew|Jackson}}<br>(1829–1837)
|-
|rowspan=2 |11
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Amos Kendall cph.3a02184 (cropped).jpg|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Amos|Kendall}}
|rowspan=2 |Kentucky
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|May 1, 1835}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|May 18, 1840}}
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Martin|Van Buren}}<br>(1837–1841)
|-
|12
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:JohnMiltonNiles (3x4a).jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|John|Niles|John M. Niles}}
|[[Connecticut]]
|{{dts|May 19, 1840}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1841}}
|-
|rowspan=2 |13
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}" |
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Francis Granger (cropped 3x4).jpg|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Francis|Granger}}
|rowspan=2 |[[New York (state)|New York]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 6, 1841}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|September 18, 1841}}
|style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|William Henry|Harrison}}<br>(1841)
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|John|Tyler}}<br>(1841-1845)
|-
|14
|style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}" |
|[[File:Wickliffe CA.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Charles|Wickliffe|Charles A. Wickliffe}}
|Kentucky
|{{dts|September 18, 1841}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1845}}
|-
|15
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Cave Johnson.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Cave|Johnson}}
|[[Tennessee]]
|{{dts|March 6, 1845}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1849}}
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|James K.|Polk}}<br>(1845-1849)
|-
|16
|style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}" |
|[[File:Jacob Collamer - Postmaster General of USA.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Jacob|Collamer}}
|[[Vermont]]
|{{dts|March 8, 1849}}
|{{dts|July 22, 1850}}
|style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Zachary|Taylor}}<br>(1849–1850)
|-
|17
|style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}" |
|[[File:Nathan Kelsey Hall, half-length portrait, three-quarters to the left.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Nathan|Hall|Nathan K. Hall}}
|New York
|{{dts|July 23, 1850}}
|{{dts|August 31, 1852}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Millard|Fillmore}}<br>(1850–1853)
|-
|18
|style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}" |
|[[File:SDHubbard.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Samuel|Hubbard|Samuel Dickinson Hubbard}}
|Connecticut
|{{dts|August 31, 1852}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1853}}
|-
|19
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:JamesCampbell1.JPG|60px]]
|{{sortname|James|Campbell|dab=Postmaster General}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|March 7, 1853}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1857}}
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Franklin|Pierce}}<br>(1853–1857)
|-
|20
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Hon. Aaron V. Brown, Tenn - NARA - 528326 (3x4a).jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Aaron|Brown|Aaron V. Brown}}
|Tennessee
|{{dts|March 6, 1857}}
|{{dts|March 8, 1859}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|James|Buchanan}}<br>(1857–1861)
|-
|21
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Judge Joseph Holt - NARA - 526106 (3x4a).jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Joseph|Holt}}
|Kentucky
|{{dts|March 9, 1859}}
|{{dts|December 31, 1860}}
|-
|22
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Postmaster-HKing.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Horatio|King}}
|[[Maine]]
|{{dts|February 12, 1861}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1861}}
|-
|23
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Abraham Lincoln (1897) (14591178008).jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Montgomery|Blair}}
|[[District of Columbia]]
|{{dts|March 5, 1861}}
|{{dts|September 24, 1864}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Abraham|Lincoln}}<br>(1861–1865)
|-
|rowspan=2 |24
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |[[File:William Dennison, Jr., War Governor of Ohio.jpg|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|William|Dennison|dab=Ohio governor}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Ohio]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|September 24, 1864}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|July 25, 1866}}
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Andrew|Johnson}}<br>(1865–1869)
|-
|25
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:AWRandall.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Alexander|Randall|dab=Wisconsin politician}}
|[[Wisconsin]]
|{{dts|July 25, 1866}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1869}}
|-
|26
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:John Angel James Creswell, sitting.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|John|Creswell|John A.J. Creswell}}
|[[Maryland]]
|{{dts|March 5, 1869}}
|{{dts|June 22, 1874}}
|rowspan=4 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=4 |{{sortname|Ulysses S.|Grant}}<br>(1869–1877)
|-
|27
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:James William Marshall, Brady-Handy bw photo portrait, ca1865-1880.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|James|Marshall|James William Marshall}}
|[[Virginia]]
|{{dts|July 3, 1874}}
|{{dts|August 24, 1874}}
|-
|28
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Marshall Jewell - Brady-Handy (cropped).png|60px]]
|{{sortname|Marshall|Jewell}}
|[[Connecticut]]
|{{dts|August 24, 1874}}
|{{dts|July 12, 1876}}
|-
|29
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:James Noble Tyner, Brady-Handy bw photo portrait, ca1865-1880.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|James|Tyner|James N. Tyner}}
|[[Indiana]]
|{{dts|July 12, 1876}}
|{{dts|March 3, 1877}}
|-
|30
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:David M. Key - Brady-Handy.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|David|Key|David M. Key}}
|Tennessee
|{{dts|March 12, 1877}}
|{{dts|June 2, 1880}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Rutherford B.|Hayes}}<br>(1887–1881)
|-
|31
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Horace-maynard-1880s.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Horace|Maynard}}
|Tennessee
|{{dts|June 2, 1880}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1881}}
|-
|rowspan=2 |32
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Thomas L James.JPG|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Thomas|James|Thomas Lemuel James}}
|rowspan=2 |New York
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 5, 1881}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|December 20, 1881}}
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|James A.|Garfield}}<br>(1881)
|-
|rowspan=4 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=4 |{{sortname|Chester A.|Arthur}}<br>(1881–1885)
|-
|33
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Timothy O. Howe - Brady-Handy.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Timothy|Howe|Timothy O. Howe}}
|Wisconsin
|{{dts|December 20, 1881}}
|{{dts|March 25, 1883}}
|-
|34
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:WQ Gresham (cropped).jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Walter|Gresham|Walter Q. Gresham}}
|Indiana
|{{dts|April 3, 1883}}
|{{dts|September 4, 1884}}
|-
|35
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Frank Hatton (US politician).png|60px]]
|{{sortname|Frank|Hatton|dab=U.S. politician}}
|[[Iowa]]
|{{dts|October 14, 1884}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1885}}
|-
|36
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:William F. Vilas (10506825074) (1).jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|William|Vilas|William Freeman Vilas}}
|Wisconsin
|{{dts|March 6, 1885}}
|{{dts|January 6, 1888}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Grover|Cleveland}}<br>(1885–1889)
|-
|37
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Donald McDonald Dickinson (1846-1917) (10506724465) (cropped).jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Donald|Dickinson|Donald M. Dickinson}}
|[[Michigan]]
|{{dts|January 6, 1888}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1889}}
|-
|38
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:John Wanamaker.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|John|Wanamaker}}
|Pennsylvania
|{{dts|March 5, 1889}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1893}}
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Benjamin|Harrison}}<br>(1889–1893)
|-
|39
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Wilson S. Bissell cph.3b27412.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Wilson|Bissell|Wilson S. Bissell}}
|New York
|{{dts|March 6, 1893}}
|{{dts|March 1, 1895}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Grover|Cleveland}}<br>(1893–1897)
|-
|40
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:William Lyne Wilson.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|William|Wilson|William Lyne Wilson}}
|[[West Virginia]]
|{{dts|March 1, 1895}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1897}}
|-
|41
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:James Albert Gary.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|James|Gary|James Albert Gary}}
|Maryland
|{{dts|March 5, 1897}}
|{{dts|April 21, 1898}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|William|McKinley}}<br>(1897–1901)
|-
|rowspan=2 |42
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Charles Emory Smith, 1898.jpg|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Charles|Smith|Charles Emory Smith}}
|rowspan=2 |Pennsylvania
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|April 21, 1898}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|January 8, 1902}}
|-
|rowspan=5 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=5 |{{sortname|Theodore|Roosevelt}}<br>(1901–1909)
|-
|43
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Portrait of Henry Clay Payne.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Henry|Payne|Henry Clay Payne}}
|Wisconsin
|{{dts|January 9, 1902}}
|{{dts|October 4, 1904}}
|-
|44
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:RJWynne.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Robert|Wynne}}
|Pennsylvania
|{{dts|October 10, 1904}}
|{{dts|March 5, 1905}}
|-
|45
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Shadow and light; an autobiography with reminiscences of the last and present century (1902) (14580486337) (cropped).jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|George|Cortelyou|George B. Cortelyou}}
|New York
|{{dts|March 6, 1905}}
|{{dts|January 14, 1907}}
|-
|46
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:GvLMeyer.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|George|Meyer|George von Lengerke Meyer}}
|[[Massachusetts]]
|{{dts|January 15, 1907}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1909}}
|-
|47
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:FHHitchcock.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Frank|Hitchcock|Frank Harris Hitchcock}}
|Massachusetts
|{{dts|March 5, 1909}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1913}}
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|William Howard|Taft}}<br>(1909–1913)
|-
|48
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Albert S. Burleson.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Albert|Burleson|Albert S. Burleson}}
|[[Texas]]
|{{dts|March 5, 1913}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1921}}
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Woodrow|Wilson}}<br>(1913–1921)
|-
|49
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Portrait of Will H. Hays.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Will|Hays|Will H. Hays}}
|Indiana
|{{dts|March 5, 1921}}
|{{dts|March 3, 1922}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Warren G.|Harding}}<br>(1921–1923)
|-
|50
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:HWork-SecofInter2.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Hubert|Work}}
|[[Colorado]]
|{{dts|March 4, 1922}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1923}}
|-
|rowspan=2 |51
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Postmaster Harry Stewart New on February 27, 1923 - LCCN2016847240 (cropped).jpg|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Harry|New|Harry Stewart New}}
|rowspan=2 |Indiana
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 4, 1923}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 3, 1929}}
|-
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Calvin|Coolidge}}<br>(1923–1929)
|-
|52
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:WFBrown.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Walter|Brown|Walter Folger Brown}}
|Ohio
|{{dts|March 5, 1929}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1933}}
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Herbert|Hoover}}<br>(1929–1933)
|-
|53
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:JamesFarleyProfile.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|James|Farley}}
|New York
|{{dts|March 4, 1933}}
|{{dts|September 10, 1940}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Franklin D.|Roosevelt}}<br>(1933–1945)
|-
|rowspan=2 |54
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Frank C. Walker.jpg|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Frank|Walker|Frank C. Walker}}
|rowspan=2 |Pennsylvania
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|September 10, 1940}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|May 8, 1945}}
|-
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Harry S.|Truman}}<br>(1945–1953)
|-
|55
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Hannegan 2013-925 (1).jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Robert|Hannegan|Robert E. Hannegan}}
|[[Missouri]]
|{{dts|May 8, 1945}}
|{{dts|December 15, 1947}}
|-
|56
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:JesseMDonaldson.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Jesse|Donaldson|Jesse M. Donaldson}}
|Missouri
|{{dts|December 16, 1947}}
|{{dts|January 20, 1953}}
|-
|57
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Arthur Summerfield (cropped).jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Arthur|Summerfield}}
|Michigan
|{{dts|January 21, 1953}}
|{{dts|January 20, 1961}}
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Dwight D.|Eisenhower}}<br>(1953–1961)
|-
|58
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:J. Edward Day 1961.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Edward|Day|J. Edward Day}}
|[[California]]
|{{dts|January 21, 1961}}
|{{dts|August 9, 1963}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|John F.|Kennedy}}<br>(1961–1963)
|-
|rowspan=2 |59
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |[[File:John A. Gronouski.png|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|John|Gronouski|John A. Gronouski}}
|rowspan=2 |Wisconsin
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|September 30, 1963}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|November 2, 1965}}
|-
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Lyndon B.|Johnson}}<br>(1963–1969)
|-
|60
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Larry O'Brien 1961.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Larry|O'Brien}}
|Massachusetts
|{{dts|November 3, 1965}}
|{{dts|April 10, 1968}}
|-
|61
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Portrait officiel de W. Marvin Watson.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Marvin|Watson|W. Marvin Watson}}
|Texas
|{{dts|April 26, 1968}}
|{{dts|January 20, 1969}}
|-
|62
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Winton M. Blount.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Winton|Blount|Winton M. Blount}}
|[[Alabama]]
|{{dts|January 22, 1969}}
|{{dts|January 1, 1971}}
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Richard|Nixon}}<br>(1969–1974)
|}

===US Postal Service (1971–present)===
{|class="toccolours"
|{{legend|#E6E6AA|Denotes acting capacity.}}
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!{{Abbr|No.|Number}}
!Portrait
!Name
!Start<ref>Since July 1, 1971, the postmaster general has been appointed by and serves under the [[Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service]].</ref>
!End
!{{abbr|Ref.|References}}
!colspan=2 |[[President of the United States|President(s)]]
|-
|62
|[[File:Winton M. Blount.jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Winton|Blount|Winton M. Blount}}
|{{dts|January 1, 1971}}
|{{dts|January 1, 1972}}
|
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Richard|Nixon}}<br>(1969–1974)
|-
|rowspan=2 |63
|rowspan=2 |<!-- INSERT IMAGE HERE -->
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Ted|Klassen|E. T. Klassen}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|January 1, 1972}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|February 16, 1975}}
|rowspan=2 |
|{{sortname|Richard|Nixon}}<br>(1969–1974)
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Gerald|Ford}}<br>(1974–1977)
|-
|rowspan=2 |64
|rowspan=2 |<!-- INSERT IMAGE HERE -->
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Benjamin|Bailar|Benjamin F. Bailar}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|February 16, 1975}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 15, 1978}}
|rowspan=2 |
|{{sortname|Gerald|Ford}}<br>(1974–1977)
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Jimmy|Carter}}<br>(1977–1981)
|-
|rowspan=2 |65
|rowspan=2 |[[File:William Bolger 1984.jpg|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|William|Bolger|William F. Bolger}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 15, 1978}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|January 1, 1985}}
|rowspan=2 |
|{{sortname|Jimmy|Carter}}<br>(1977–1981)
|-
|rowspan=5 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Ronald|Reagan}}<br>(1981–1989)
|-
|66
|<!-- INSERT IMAGE HERE -->
|{{sortname|Paul|Carlin|Paul N. Carlin}}
|{{dts|January 1, 1985}}
|{{dts|January 7, 1986}}
|
|{{sortname|Ronald|Reagan}}<br>(1981–1989)
|-
|67
|<!-- INSERT IMAGE HERE -->
|{{sortname|Albert|Casey|Albert Vincent Casey}}
|{{dts|January 7, 1986}}
|{{dts|August 16, 1986}}
|
|{{sortname|Ronald|Reagan}}<br>(1981–1989)
|-
|68
|[[File:BobTisch.jpeg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Preston|Tisch|Preston Robert Tisch}}
|{{dts|August 16, 1986}}
|{{dts|March 1, 1988}}
|
|{{sortname|Ronald|Reagan}}<br>(1981–1989)
|-
|rowspan=2 |69
|rowspan=2 |<!-- INSERT IMAGE HERE -->
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Anthony|Frank|Anthony M. Frank}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 1, 1988}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|July 6, 1992}}
|rowspan=2 |
|{{sortname|Ronald|Reagan}}<br>(1981–1989)
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|George H. W.|Bush}}<br>(1989–1993)
|-
|rowspan=2 |70
|rowspan=2 |<!-- INSERT IMAGE HERE -->
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Marvin|Runyon|Marvin Travis Runyon}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|July 6, 1992}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|May 16, 1998}}
|rowspan=2 |
|{{sortname|George H. W.|Bush}}<br>(1989–1993)
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Bill|Clinton}}<br>(1993–2001)
|-
|rowspan=2 |71
|rowspan=2 |<!-- INSERT IMAGE HERE -->
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|William|Henderson|William J. Henderson}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|May 16, 1998}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|May 31, 2001}}
|rowspan=2 |
|{{sortname|Bill|Clinton}}<br>(1993–2001)
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|George W.|Bush}}<br>(2001–2009)
|-
|rowspan=2 |72
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Jack Potter 72nd United States Postmaster General.jpg|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|John|Potter|John E. Potter}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|June 1, 2001}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|December 6, 2010}}
|rowspan=2 |<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/new-postmaster-general-named,102483 |title=NEW POSTMASTER GENERAL NAMED |date=May 21, 2001 |first=Todd J. |last=Shields |magazine=Editor & Publisher Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2010/pr10_pm096.htm |title=Postmaster General John E. Potter to Retire |date=October 25, 2010 |publisher=USPS}}</ref>
|{{sortname|George W.|Bush}}<br>(2001–2009)
|-
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Barack|Obama}}<br>(2009–2017)
|-
|73
|[[File:Patrick R. Donahoe 2013 (cropped).jpg|60px]]
|{{sortname|Patrick|Donahoe|Patrick R. Donahoe}}
|{{dts|January 14, 2011}}
|{{dts|February 1, 2015}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2011/pr11_005.htm |title=Donahoe Sworn In as 73rd Postmaster General of the United States |date=January 14, 2011 |publisher=USPS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2014/pr14_060.htm |title=Postmaster General Donahoe to Retire February 2015 |date=November 14, 2014 |publisher=USPS}}</ref>
|{{sortname|Barack|Obama}}<br>(2009–2017)
|-
|rowspan=2 |74
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Megan Brennan USPMG at 225th Anniversary of U.S. Coast Guard stamp event.jpg|60px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Megan|Brennan}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|February 1, 2015}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|June 15, 2020}}
|rowspan=2 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2015/pr15_009.htm |title=Megan Brennan 74th Postmaster General of the United States |date=February 2, 2015 |publisher=USPS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2019/1016-usps-announces-retirement-of-pmg-megan-j-brennan.htm |title=United States Postal Service Announces Retirement of Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan |date=October 16, 2019 |publisher=USPS}}</ref>
|{{sortname|Barack|Obama}}<br>(2009–2017)
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Donald|Trump}}<br>(2017–2021)
|-
|rowspan=3 |75
|rowspan=3 |[[File:Official portrait of Louis DeJoy, United States Postmaster General.jpg|60px]]
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Louis|DeJoy}}
|rowspan=3 |{{dts|June 15, 2020}}
|rowspan=3 |{{dts|March 24, 2025}}
|rowspan=3 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2020/0506-bog-announces-selection-of-louis-dejoy-to-serve-as-nations-75th-postmaster-general.htm |title=Board of Governors Announces Selection of Louis DeJoy to Serve as Nation’s 75th Postmaster General |date=May 6, 2020 |publisher=USPS}}</ref><ref name="DeJoy quits">{{cite web |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/people/2025/03/dejoy-leaves-usps-amid-search-for-new-postmaster-general/ |title=DeJoy leaves USPS amid search for new postmaster general |first=Jory |last=Heckman |date=March 24, 2025 |work=[[WFED]]}}</ref>
|{{sortname|Donald|Trump}}<br>(2017–2021)
|-
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Joe|Biden}}<br>(2021–2025)
|-
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Donald|Trump}}<br>(2025–present)
|-
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |–
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:No image.svg|60px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Doug|Tulino}}<br>Acting
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|March 25, 2025}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |''{{dts|July 2025}}''
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |<ref name="DeJoy quits"/>
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Donald|Trump}}<br>(2025–present)
|-
|''76''
|[[File:No image.svg|60px]]
|''{{sortname|David|Steiner|David P. Steiner}}''
|''{{dts|July 2025}}''
|''Designate''
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2025/0509-usps-bog-appoints-david-steiner-to-be-76th-pmg-and-ceo-of-usps.htm |title=Postal Service Board of Governors appoints David Steiner to be 76th Postmaster General and CEO of the United States Postal Service |date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=USPS}}</ref>
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|''{{sortname|Donald|Trump}}<br>(2025–present)''
|}

==See also==
* [[Postmaster General]]
* [[John H. Reagan|John Reagan]], the only postmaster general of the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate States]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{cite web |url=http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/leadership/officers/pmg-ceo.htm |title=Postal leadership |date=June 2020 |publisher=USPS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003113127/http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/leadership/officers/pmg-ceo.htm |archive-date=2014-10-03}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/listofholdingshtml/finding_aids_s.html |title=Papers of Arthur E. Summerfield, Postmaster General, 1953–1961 |publisher=Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512060042/https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/listofholdingshtml/finding_aids_s.html |archive-date=May 12, 2008}}

{{United States Postal Service}}
{{USPostGen}}
{{US Cabinet leaders}}
{{Benjamin Franklin}}
{{USAConfGov}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:United States postmasters general| ]]
[[Category:1775 establishments in the Thirteen Colonies]]
[[Category:United States Postal Service|Postmaster General]]