Background
Francis O. Wilcox was born in Columbus Junction, Iowa on April 9, 1908.
Francis O. Wilcox was born in Columbus Junction, Iowa on April 9, 1908.
He was educated at the University of Iowa, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in 1930, his Master of Arts in 1931, and his Doctor of Philosophy in 1933. He then attended the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International Studies, and received a doctorate in political science in 1935.
From 1935 through 1941, he taught political science at the University of Iowa, the University of Louisville, the University of Chicago, and the University of Michigan. Wilcox joined the United States Department of State in 1942. From 1947 through 1951, he was the first chief of staff of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
During this time, the Committee oversaw the United States" involvement in the creation of North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Marshall Plan.
In this capacity, he had primary responsibility for United States involvement in the United Nations. Leaving government service in 1961, Wilcox became dean of the Johns Hopkins University"s School of Advanced International Studies.
He became dean emeritus in 1973. Wilcox died of a heart attack on February 20, 1985.