Frederic René Coudert Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's17th district | |
| In office January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1959 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph C. Baldwin |
| Succeeded by | John Lindsay |
| Member of theNew York State Senate from the20th district | |
| In office 1945–1946 | |
| Preceded by | Alexander A. Falk |
| Succeeded by | MacNeil Mitchell |
| Member of theNew York State Senate from the17th district | |
| In office 1939–1944 | |
| Preceded by | Leon A. Fischel |
| Succeeded by | Robert S. Bainbridge |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1898-05-07)May 7, 1898 New York City, US |
| Died | May 21, 1972(1972-05-21) (aged 74) New York City, US |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent |
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| Alma mater | |
| Awards | Columbia University Medal for Distinguished Public Service Legion of Honor (Chevalier) (France) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1919 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Frederic René Coudert Jr. (May 7, 1898 – May 21, 1972) was a member of theUnited States House of Representatives fromNew York from 1947 to 1959, and a member of theNew York State Senate from 1939 to 1946. Prior to serving in Congress, he was best known for his role with New York'sRapp-Coudert Committee, which attempted to identify the extent ofcommunist influence in thestate of New York'spublic education system. The committee's inquiries led to the dismissal of more than 40 instructors and staff members at theCity College of New York, actions the committee's critics regarded as a political "witch-hunt."
Coudert was born inNew York City on May 7, 1898, the son ofFrederic René Coudert, II (1871–1955) and Alice T. (Wilmerding) Coudert.[1] He attended theBrowning andMorristown Schools in New York City,[1] then entered Harvard College in 1916, but when the US enteredWorld War I, Coudert joined the Army.[1] He served in France as afirst lieutenant assigned to the 105th InfantryRegiment, a unit of the27th Division.[1][2] In 1918, he received hisBachelor of Arts degree fromColumbia College as part of a program that awarded degrees to military members through a combination of academic study and military service.[3]
Coudert was discharged from the army in 1919 and began attendingColumbia Law School.[1] He received hisLL.B. degree in 1922, wasadmitted to the bar in 1923, and commencedpractice in New York City.[1] He served as an assistantUnited States attorney for theSouthern District of New York in 1924 and 1925.[1]
Coudert was a member ofThe New York Young Republican Club.[4] He was an unsuccessfulRepublican candidate forNew York County District Attorney in 1929.[1] He was a delegate to the Republican state conventions every two years from 1930 to 1948, and the Republican National Conventions every four years from 1936 to 1948.[1]
From 1939 to 1946, Coudert was a member of theNew York State Senate, sitting in the162nd,163rd,164th and165th New York State Legislatures.[1]
He was elected as a Republican to the80th,81st,82nd,83rd,84th and85th United States Congresses, holding office from January 3, 1947, to January 3, 1959.[1] Coudert voted in favor of theCivil Rights Act of 1957.[5]
He continued his practice of law in New York City, and was also a member of the State Commission on Governmental Operations of New York City from 1959 to 1961.[1] Coudert was an outspoken conservative and endorsedWilliam F. Buckley's 1965 Conservative campaign for the New York City mayoralty over liberal Republican CongressmanJohn Lindsay.[6]
He retired due to ill health, and died in New York City on May 21, 1972.[7] He was buried at Memorial Cemetery inCold Spring Harbor, New York.[7]
In 1941, Coudert received the Columbia University Medal for Distinguished Public Service.[8] In addition, he was a recipient of the FrenchLegion of Honor (Chevalier) to recognize his efforts on behalf of the French people, including serving as president of the federation of French Alliances In the United States.[8]
In June 1923, Coudert married sculptorMary Callery.[9] The marriage ended in divorce in May 1931,[10] and in October of that year he married Paula Murray.[8] With his first wife, Coudert was the father of daughter Catherine.[10] With his second, he was the father of son Frederic R. "Fritz" and daughter Paula.[11]
Coudert was the great-grandson ofBenjamin F. Tracy, who served asUnited States Secretary of the Navy from 1889 to 1893.[8]
| New York State Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theNew York State Senate from the17th district 1939–1944 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theNew York State Senate from the20th district 1945–1946 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 17th congressional district 1947–1959 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
