Background
Talbot was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and served in the United States Navy during World World War World War II
Diplomat journalist university professor
Talbot was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and served in the United States Navy during World World War World War II
Bachelor, University Illinois, 1936. Bachelor of Science in Journalism, University Illinois, 1936. Student, London School Oriental Studies, 1938—1939.
Student, Aligarh Muslim University, India, 1939—1940. Doctor of Philosophy, University Chicago, 1954. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Mills College, 1963.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Elmhurst College, Illinois, 2007.
Journalism
After graduating from University of Illinois in 1936, Talbot started as a reporter for the Chicago Daily News, where he remained from 1936-1938. In 1939, having been turned down for a foreign correspondent position, he left the Chicago Daily News to take a position with the Institute of Current World Affairs in India where he reported on the Indian independence movement. The Phillips Talbot Fellowship was named in his honor and is awarded yearly by the Institute to promising young journalists.
Politics
Talbot was the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian affairs from 1961-1965 during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.
Life trustee Aspen Institute, United States-Japan Foundation. Counselor United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia. Elder Presbyterian Church Second lieutenant cavalry Officers Reserve Corps, 1936.
1st lieutenant National Guard, 1937-1938. Lieutenant Commander United States Naval Reserve, 1941-1946. Member American Academy Diplomacy, Council American Ambassadors, Council Foreign Relations, Century Association, Cosmos Club.
Married Mildred Aleen Fisher, August 18, 1943 (deceased June 20, 2004). Children: Susan Talbot Jacox, Nancy, Bruce Kenneth (deceased).