Jack Elliot Corbett

Background

Jack Elliot Corbett was born on November 27, 1920, in Oak Park, Illinois, United States. He had a sister.

Education

In 1950 Corbett earned a bachelor’s degree from Temple University and a bachelor’s degree in divinity from Crozer Theological Seminary. Years later, in 1967, Corbett also received his Doctor of Philosophy from the American University.

Career

During World War II Jack Elliot Corbett served the country at home as a forest firefighter in Oregon, as well as assisting at hospitals.

In the 1950s and early 1960s, when he was already educated, Corbett worked as a minister in Illinois, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Always interested in ethics, in 1961 he joined the Methodist Board of Christian Social Concerns in Washington as a staff member of educational and legislative programs, becoming vice president from 1971 to 1996.

In 1971 Corbett founded and became vice president of Pax World Fund, which made investments only in companies that provided ethical goods and services that benefited mankind, such as food, health care, education, and housing. He was also the founding president of the Pax World Service (now Pax World Foundation) in Bethesda, Maryland, from 1971 to 1990, and honorary chairman of the organization from 1993 to 2001. The purpose of Pax World Service was to promote international peace through Corbett’s concept of "citizen diplomacy." After Pax World Service merged with another company, he founded Pax International in 2001, serving as chairman.

From 1990 to 1991 the minister was also president of the United Nations Association/National Capital Area, and co-founded the first national handgun control organization, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.

Besides, he was the author of The Prophets on Main Street, Christians Awake, Turned on by God, and Becoming a Prophetic Community.

Achievements

• Jack Elliot Corbett was listed in Who's Who in Religion (1977-78), Who's Who in the East (1988-89), Who's Who in the World (1991-92), Who's Who in Finance and Industry (1992-93), and Who's Who in America (1992-93).
  
  The minister received a lifetime achievement award from the Alumni Association of American University, and in 1998 Pax World Funds honored him for his historic contribution to the field of socially responsible investing.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The Prophets on Main Street 1964
  • Becoming a prophetic community 1980
  • Turned on by God 1971

Views

Corbett was an advocate of socially responsible investing and a strong supporter of the United Nations.

Membership

• The National Council of the United Nations Association , United States

Personality

Corbett retained his youthful spirit and optimism long after the usual retirement age.

Quotes from others about the person

• Pax World Chairman Larry Shadek: "Jack Corbett's contribution to Pax World, and to the world of ethical investing, was immeasurable. He was a true pioneer, always pushing us to look farther, to do better, to dream bigger dreams."

Connections

Jack Elliot Corbett was married to Sarah Anne Rapp Corbett. They had three children.

Spouse:

Sarah Anne Rapp Corbett

Daughter:

Kathleen Corbett

Daughter:

Marjorie Hudson

Son:

Stephen Corbett

Sister:

Marjorie Sheffield

colleague:

Luther Tyson