John Richardson Jr. Explained

Office:6th Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs
Term Start:July 15, 1969
Term End:March 7, 1977
Preceded:Edward D. Re
Succeeded:Joseph D. Duffey
Birth Date:February 4, 1921
Birth Place:Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Education:Harvard University
Parents:John Richardson
Hope Richardson (nee Hemenway)
Relations:Augustus Hemenway (maternal grandfather)
Harriet Hemenway (maternal grandmother)
Death Place:Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.

John Richardson Jr. (February 4, 1921[1] – December 26, 2014)[2] was United States Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs from 1969 to 1977.

Biography

John Richardson Jr. was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts and educated at Harvard University. His parents were John Richardson, an attorney and Republican political figure and Hope Hemenway Richardson, the daughter of Augustus and Harriet Hemenway.[3] [4]

During World War II, Richardson served in the United States Army as a paratrooper. After the war, he became a lawyer at the Wall Street law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell. In 1955, he became an investment banker at Paine Webber. He joined the International Rescue Committee later in 1955, staying there until 1961. From 1961 to 1968, he was president of the National Committee for a Free Europe.

In 1969, President of the United States Richard Nixon nominated Richardson to be Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs and, after Senate confirmation, Richardson held that office from July 15, 1969, until March 7, 1977.

Upon leaving the United States Department of State in 1977, Richardon initially took a position with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, then served as president of Youth For Understanding from 1977 to 1986. In 1986, he became president of the United States Institute of Peace, holding that position until his retirement in 1989.

Death

On December 26, 2014, Richardson died at the age of 93 in Bethesda, Maryland. His wife, Thelma, had died less than a month prior.[5] He was survived by his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.[6]

Other Resources

Interview from the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training Foreign Affairs Oral History Project http://www.adst.org/OH%20TOCs/Richardson,%20John%20Jr.toc.pdf

Notes and References

  1. https://books.google.com/books?id=K9YWAAAAYAAJ&q=%22John+Richardson,+Jr.%22+AND+%221921%22+AND+%22secretary%22 Newsletter
  2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/john-richardson-jr-activist-and-former-president-of-radio-free-europe-dies-at-93/2015/01/12/772ed1ba-9a9d-11e4-96cc-e858eba91ced_story.html?wprss=rss_obituaries Washington Post obituary John Richardson, Jr
  3. Web site: Papers of the Richardson family, 1824-1999 (inclusive), 1900-1976 (bulk): A Finding Aid. Harvard University Library. President and Fellows of Harvard College. December 11, 2016.
  4. News: John Richardson, 89, Boston lawyer 60 years. The Boston Globe. January 27, 1976.
  5. Web site: 2015-01-06 . YFU Mourns Loss of Democracy Advocate, Activist and YFU Leader John Richardson Jr. . 2024-08-06 . Youth For Understanding USA . en-US.
  6. Web site: Jan 14, 2015, page B2 - Ledger-Enquirer at Newspapers.com . 2024-08-06 . Newspapers.com . en.