George Edward Allen (February 29, 1896 – April 23, 1973) was an American lawyer, businessman, and friend ("poker-playing intimate" and even "court jester"[1]) for U.S. presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

In 1916, Allen served as head football coach for Cumberland College Bulldogs in Lebanon, Tennessee, for one game, during which his alma mater Cumberland University suffered the greatest loss in the history of college football to Georgia Tech by a score of 222 to 0.

Cumberland's fullback and captain, George Allen himself, made the best run of the game for his hard pressed side: "I only lost six yards."

Allen "wangled himself" onto the Board of Commissioners for the District of Columbia (1933-1938, 1939–40) and treasurer and then secretary of the Democratic National Committee.

[2][3] On behalf of the Red Cross, Allen made a number of trips to England and Europe where, in the 1940s, he and Dwight D. Eisenhower developed a friendship that grew over the ensuing years.

[11] In 1944, he "latched onto" Harry S. Truman, helped him secure candidacy as vice president, drafted his convention speech, and served as manager of his vice-presidential campaign.

[4] Allen "managed the ticklish task of easing" Secretary of State Stettinius out in favor of James Byrnes.

[13] From 1947 to his death in 1973, Allen was an executive with several business corporations including AVCO, Inc. During the Eisenhower administration, he was part of a group known as "Ike's millionaires.

Numerous companies put him on their boards, including Victor Emanuel's Aviation Corp. and Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corp., Tom Girdler's Republic Steel, General Aniline and Film Corp.[4] Harry Truman on George Allen: In 1930, Allen married Mary Keane.

[4] The press called Allen many names in his time, including: court jester,[1] fat man,[4] roly-poly,[4] and clown.