Background
Seawell, Donald Ray was born on August 1, 1912 in Jonesboro, North Carolina, United States. Son of A.A.F. and Bertha (Smith) Seawell.
lawyer producer publisher arts center executive
Seawell, Donald Ray was born on August 1, 1912 in Jonesboro, North Carolina, United States. Son of A.A.F. and Bertha (Smith) Seawell.
Bachelor of Arts North Carolina, 1933. Juris Doctor, University North Carolina, 1936. Doctor of Letters, University North Carolina, 1980.
Doctor of Humane Letters, University Northern Colorado, 1978.
Was hired to work at the Securities and Exchange Commission by the newly appointed head of the organization, Joseph P. Kennedy. Kennedy had heard "s unflattering comment about him on the radio, where the young lawyer said, "lieutenant takes a thief to catch a thief". This quote is widely attributed to Franklin Delano Roosevelt who knew Joseph Kennedy personally and appointed him to the Securities and Exchange Commission citing this reason.
He was impressed by "s candor, if not his character assessment, and wanted him on his team
After the war, he served briefly as assistant Ambassador to France. Entering private law practice in New York, he gathered many theatrical clients including, Tallulah Bankhead, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.
He also maintained law offices in London and Tel Aviv, and was involved in writing the charter for the State of Israel. "s theatrical clients led to his becoming a Broadway producer, and his shows included: Noël Coward"s Sail Away, The Affair, and A Thurber Carnival.
He was the first producer to bring the Royal Shakespeare Company (Royal Society of Chemistry ) to the United States in a 1962 production of The Hollow Crown.
He later became a Governor of the Royal Society of Chemistry as well as Chairman of the American National Theatre and Academy. In 2002, he was awarded the honorary title, Order of the British Empire, by Queen Elizabeth World War II was one of three producers of Bonard Productions, the others being the actress Haila Stoddard, and The Denver Post owner Helen Bonfils. In the 1960s he joined forces with Mississippi
Bonfils to become Secretary-Treasurer of the Denver Post.
After Helen Bonfils" death, he became Publisher of the paper. Using funds from the Bonfils Foundation, he created The Denver Center for the Performing Arts in the late 1970s.
He retired as active chairman of the center in 2007 at the age of 94.
Chairman board American National Theatre and Academy, since 1965. Member theatre panel National Council Arts, 1970-1974. Board of Governors Royal Shakespeare Theatre, England.
Trustee American Academy Dramatic Arts, since 1967, Hofstra U., 1968-1969, Center City Opera Association, Denver Symphony. Board directors, chairman of the executive committee Air Force Academy Foundation, National Ints. Outdoor Drama, Walter Hampden Memorial Library, Hammond Museum.
President HelenG. Bonfils Foundation, 1972-1997, Denver Opera Foundation, since 1997. Director Foundation for Denver Center for Performing Arts Complex, Population Crisis Committee, president 1972-1977, president emeritus since 1997. Board directors Family Health International, Foundation for International Family Health.
Board visitors North Carolina School Arts, since 1992. With United States Army, World War World War II. Member Bucks Club (London), Dutch Treat Club (New York City), Denver Country Club, Denver Club, Cherry Hills Country Club, Mile High Club (Denver), Garden of Gods Club (Colorado Springs, Colorado).
Married Eugenia Rawls, April 5, 1941. Children: Brook Ashley, Donald Brockman.