Angier DUKE, American diplomatist (retired). Award 1981; Order of Danneborg (Denmark); Order of George I (Greece) and numerous other foreign decorations; Medal, Spanish Institute.
Background
Duke was born in New York City. His father was Angier Buchanan Duke (1884–1923) an heir to the American Tobacco Company fortune. His paternal grandfather was Benjamin Newton Duke (1855–1929), a major benefactor of Duke University (named for the family).
His mother was Cordelia Drexel Biddle.
His maternal grandfather was Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle, Senior of the Biddle family of Philadelphia. A great-great-grandfather through his mother was banker Anthony Joseph Drexel.
Duke attended Saint Paul"s School in Concord, New Hampshire.
He dropped out of Yale University in 1936.
Education
Student, Yale University, 1937. Doctor of Laws, Iona College, 1957. Doctor of Laws, Duke University, 1969.
Doctor of Humane Letters, Long Island University, 1967. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Rocky Mountain College, 1991. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Drexel University, 1992.
Career
Duke became skiing editor for a sports magazine in the late 1930s. In 1940 he enlisted as a private in the United States Army Air Forces, and by discharge in 1945 was a major serving in North Africa and Europe. In 1949, Duke joined the United States Foreign Service as an assistant in Buenos Aires and subsequently Madrid.
From 1952 to 1953, he served as the United States. Ambassador to El Salvador during the Truman administration and was, aged 36, the youngest ever United States. Ambassador up to that time.
With the Democratic Party out of power in 1953–1961, he left the foreign service and returned to private life. During much of this time, he served as President of the International Rescue Commission.
Originally a Republican, he later became a Democrat. In 1960, Duke accepted a call from the Kennedy administration to serve as Chief of Protocol for the United States. Department of State with the rank of Ambassador, holding this position until 1965.
His most visible task during this term was to supervise the protocol for the world leaders who attended the November 25, 1963 funeral of John F. Kennedy.
At end of his term as Chief of Protocol, the Johnson administration asked him to serve as United States. Ambassador to Spain (1965–1967) and then to Denmark (1968–1969). In 1969 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Duke University. With the Democratic Party again out of power, he was again out of the United States. Foreign Service.
The Carter administration brought him back again to serve as the United States. Ambassador to Morocco in 1979–1981.
From 1992 to 1995, Duke served as the elected president of the Council of American Ambassadors. Duke died at the age of 79, from being struck by a car while rollerblading.
His papers are archived by Duke University in North Carolina.
Achievements
Angier Biddle Duke has been listed as a noteworthy diplomat by Marquis Who's Who.
Membership
Commissioner Long Island State Park, 1955-1961. Trustee Long Island University, 1981-1990, chancellor Southampton College of Long Island University, 1986-1990. Chairman World Affairs Council Long Island, since 1981.
Served from private to major Army of the United States, 1940-1945. Officer in charge Paris section Air Transport Command, 1945. Member Sons of the American Revolution, Council Foreign Relations, American Academy Diplomacy (director 1994), Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (director since 1994), Foreign Policy Association, Freedom House, Council American Ambassadors (president since 1992), United Nations Association of New York (board directors since 1995), The Pilgrims, Society Colonial Wars, Duke Family Association North Carolina (chairman since 1988), Brook Club (New York City), River Club (New York City), Racquet and Tennis Club 9N.Y.C.), Bucks Club (London).
Interests
Skiing, golf.
Connections
Married Robin Chandler Lynn, May 12, 1962. 1 son, Angier Biddle Junior. Children by previous marriage: A. St. George B. Pony, Maria-Luisa B. Duke, Dario B.
