Varian Mackey Fry was born on October 15, 1907, in New York City, New York. He was the son of Lillian Mackey and Arthur Fry. Even at a young age, Fry showed a strong sense of empathy and compassion. When he was just 9 years old, he organized a fundraiser for the American Red Cross with his friends during World War I, demonstrating his commitment to helping those in need.
After graduating from Harvard University, Fry embarked on a career in journalism. He founded the publication Hound & Horn while at Harvard, which published the works of many students who would later become well-known writers. Fry's journalistic career eventually led him to become a foreign correspondent for The Living Age, which brought him to Berlin where he witnessed the atrocities being committed against Jews by the Nazis. This experience deeply affected Fry and inspired him to take action to help those in danger.
Fry played a crucial role in organizing a rescue network that helped approximately 2000 to 4000 anti-Nazi and Jewish refugees escape the Holocaust in Nazi Germany. He was instrumental in founding the Emergency Rescue Committee (ERC), which was supported by prominent figures such as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Despite facing challenges and ultimately being terminated from his position with the ERC in 1942, Fry continued his efforts to help refugees by serving as an advisor for the War Refugee Board of President Theodore Roosevelt. Throughout his career, Fry documented the abuse of Jews by Hitler's regime through publications in various newspapers and periodicals, shedding light on the atrocities being committed.
For his courageous and selfless actions during World War II, Varian Mackey Fry was posthumously awarded the title "Righteous Among the Nations" by the state of Israel. He is remembered as a hero who risked his own safety to save the lives of others. Some of the countless refugees Fry aided include notable figures such as historian and philosopher Hannah Arendt and author and co-founder of surrealism Andre Breton. Fry's legacy lives on as a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Fry was married twice in his lifetime. He first married Eileen Avery Hughes in 1931, but the marriage ended in divorce. He later married Annette Riley in 1950, with whom he had three children before they separated in 1966. Despite facing personal challenges and setbacks, Fry remained dedicated to his mission of helping those in need until the end of his life.
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