John P. Humes

John Portner Humes (July 21, 1921 – September 30, 1985) was an American lawyer, diplomat and author who served as the United States Ambassador to Austria.[1]

John P. Humes
United States Ambassador to Austria
In office October 29, 1969 – March 6, 1975
President	Richard Nixon Gerald Ford
Preceded by	Douglas MacArthur II
Succeeded by	Wiley T. Buchanan Jr.
Personal details
Born	John Portner Humes July 21, 1921 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	September 30, 1985 (aged 64) Glen Cove, New York, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Jean Cooper Schmidlapp ​ ​ (m. 1950; his death 1985)​
Children	6
Education	St. Paul's School
Alma mater	Princeton University Fordham University School of Law

Early life

Humes attended St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, graduating in 1943.[2]

Following his service in the war, he attended Fordham University School of Law, graduating in 1948.[3]

Career

During World War II, Humes served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps Intelligence Service in the European Theater.[1]

After receiving his law degree, Mr. Humes became an associate with Shearman & Sterling, a New York law firm. From 1956 to 1969 he was a partner in the New York law firm Andrews & Botzow, which became Humes, Andrews & Botzow.[1]

Hume, an avid squash player who was the New York state champion in 1950, served as president of the United States Squash Racquets Association from 1954 to 1956.[1]

Diplomatic career

On September 26, 1969, Humes was appointed by President Richard Nixon as the United States' Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Austria.[4][5] He presented his credentials in Vienna on October 29, 1969. Humes' mission was terminated when he left his post on March 6, 1975, and was succeeded by Wiley T. Buchanan Jr.[4]

While in Vienna, he wrote his memoirs (in two volumes), which were later compiled into a book, Excerpts from the Vienna Diaries of Ambassador John Portner Humes which was used as a text for students at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.[6]

After retiring in 1975, Humes was active as a member of the Board of Directors of the Council of American Ambassadors and the Board of Visitors of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.[1]

Personal life

In 1950, Humes married Dr. Jean Cooper Schmidlapp,[7] the daughter of banker Carl Jacob Schmidlapp[8] and Frances (née Cooper) Schmidlapp.[9][10] Jean, a cousin of Broadway producer W. Horace Schmidlapp, attended the Foxcroft School and later graduated from Vassar College in 1945, and Cornell University Medical College, where she received her MD, in 1949. Together, they were the parents of six sons: Andrew, Christopher, Cooper, Carl, David, and John Portner Humes Jr.[1] They lived together at Rumpus House, their 28-acre (11 ha) estate in Mill Neck, New York.[9][11]

Humes died of a stroke at the Community Hospital in Glen Cove on Long Island on September 30, 1985.[1]

Legacy

The John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden, a Japanese garden in Mill Neck, is named in his honor.[12][13]

References

1. "John P. Humes Dies; Former Envoy Was 64". The New York Times. October 3, 1985. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
2. Princeton Alumni Weekly. Princeton Alumni Weekly. 1985. p. 25. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
3. "John P. Humes, Former U.S. Ambassador to Austria, Dies at 64". apnews.com. AP News. October 3, 1985. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
4. "John Portner Humes - People - Department History". history.state.gov. Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs United States Department of State. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
5. "Five Diplomatic Nominations Are Approved by the Senate" (PDF). The New York Times. September 25, 1969. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
6. "John P. Humes, 64, a lawyer who served as U.S. ambassador to Austria". Orlando Sentinel. October 4, 1985. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
7. "HUMES, DR. JEAN SCHMIDLAPP". The New York Times. September 3, 2000. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
8. "CARL SCHMIDLAPP, BANK OFFICIAL, 71; Ex-Vice Chairman of Chase National Dies--Served on Its Trust Committee" (PDF). The New York Times. May 14, 1960. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
9. Bales, Carter F. "Pending Acquisition of Seven-acre Grace Property in Oyster Bay Cove" (PDF). www.northshorelandalliance.org. North Shore Land Alliance | Volume 13, Issue 26. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
10. "Rumpus House". www.oldlongisland.com. June 3, 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
11. Social Register, New York. Social Register Association. 1920. p. 36. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
12. Shea, Barbara (October 5, 2001). "Discover Long Island - John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden". Newsday. ProQuest 279542584.
13. Dickey, Page; Brenner, Marion (2015). Outstanding American Gardens: A Celebration: 25 Years of the Garden Conservancy. Abrams. p. 29. ISBN 9781683350309. Retrieved 14 September 2018.

External links

• John Portner Humes at the United States Department of State.
• John P. Humes at Find a Grave