Robert D. Coe Explained

Office:United States Ambassador to Denmark
Term Start:September 25, 1953
Term End:June 1, 1957
President:Dwight D. Eisenhower
Predecessor:Eugenie Anderson
Successor:Val Peterson
Birth Date:27 February 1902
Education:St. Paul's School
Alma Mater:Harvard University
Magdalen College, Oxford
Parents:William Robertson Coe
Mai Huttleston Rogers Coe

Robert Douglas Coe (February 27, 1902 – May 26, 1985) was a career diplomat and the U.S. ambassador to Denmark from 1953 to 1957.

Early life

Coe was born on February 27, 1902. He was the second son of William Robertson Coe and Mai Huttleston Rogers Coe. His siblings included banker and railroad executive William Rogers Coe, philanthropist Henry Huttleston Rogers Coe, and Natalie Mai Coe who became the Countess Vitetti after she married Commendatore Leonardo Vitetti, the Italian Ambassador to France.[1]

He attended St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire. He later he received an A.B. in fine arts from Harvard University, and completed an M.A. at Magdalen College, Oxford, England.

Career

Although his father hoped young Robert would pursue a career in law or banking, he instead intended to become an architect, and took drawing lessons from Robert Chanler and Everett Shinn. His father William Robertson Coe was not fond of the idea of his son becoming an architect, and, ultimately, Bob became a career diplomat.

Bob was posted to Brazil, Turkey, India, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, before serving as U.S. ambassador to Denmark from 1953 to 1957.[2]

Diplomatic Service

Porto Alegre, Brazil1928–1930
Peru1930–1931
Turkey1931–1935
Calcutta, India1935–1937
Washington, DC: The Balkans Desk1937–1941
London1941–1948
Holland1948–1950
Washington, D.C.1950–1952
Retired1952
Recalled by President Eisenhower1953
Ambassador to Denmark 1953–1957

Personal life

As a board member of the Planting Fields Foundation and Chairman of the Board between 1971 and 1985, he helped spark interest in the early restoration work at Coe Hall, particularly the Breakfast Room ("Buffalo Room") murals and the conservation of paintings and stained glass.

Robert painted as a hobby, and never married. Coe died on May 26, 1985.[3]

External links

Notes and References

  1. "Miss Natalie Coe Long Island Bride", The New York Times, 20 May 1934
  2. Web site: Denmark . 2001-2009.state.gov . . 19 June 2019 . en.
  3. News: Robert Coe Dies at 83; Former U.S. Diplomat . 19 June 2019 . . 2 June 1985.