Frederic Coudert Jr.
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Frederic René Coudert Jr. (May 7, 1898 – May 21, 1972) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York from 1947 to 1959, and a member of the New York State Senate from 1939 to 1946. Prior to serving in Congress, he was best known for his role with New York's Rapp-Coudert Committee, which attempted to identify the extent of communist influence in the state of New York's public education system. The committee's inquiries led to the dismissal of more than 40 instructors and staff members at the City College of New York, actions the committee's critics regarded as a political "witch-hunt."
Background
Coudert was born in New York City on May 7, 1898, the son of Frederic René Coudert, II (1871–1955) and Alice T. (Wilmerding) Coudert.<ref name="Directory">Template:Cite book</ref> He attended the Browning and Morristown Schools in New York City,<ref name="Directory"/> then entered Harvard College in 1916, but when the US entered World War I, Coudert joined the Army.<ref name="Directory"/> He served in France as a first lieutenant assigned to the 105th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 27th Division.<ref name="Directory"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1918, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College as part of a program that awarded degrees to military members through a combination of academic study and military service.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Coudert was discharged from the army in 1919 and began attending Columbia Law School.<ref name="Directory"/> He received his LL.B. degree in 1922, was admitted to the bar in 1923, and commenced practice in New York City.<ref name="Directory"/> He served as an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of New York in 1924 and 1925.<ref name="Directory"/>
Politics
Coudert was a member of The New York Young Republican Club.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for New York County District Attorney in 1929.<ref name="Directory"/> 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.<ref name="Directory"/>
From 1939 to 1946, Coudert was a member of the New York State Senate, sitting in the 162nd, 163rd, 164th and 165th New York State Legislatures.<ref name="Directory"/>
He was elected as a Republican to the 80th, 81st, 82nd, 83rd, 84th and 85th United States Congresses, holding office from January 3, 1947, to January 3, 1959.<ref name="Directory"/> Coudert voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Post-congressional career
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.<ref name="Directory"/> Coudert was an outspoken conservative and endorsed William F. Buckley's 1965 Conservative campaign for the New York City mayoralty over liberal Republican Congressman John Lindsay.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Retirement and death
He retired due to ill health, and died in New York City on May 21, 1972.<ref name="Directory2005">Template:Cite book</ref> He was buried at Memorial Cemetery in Cold Spring Harbor, New York.<ref name="Directory2005"/>
Awards
In 1941, Coudert received the Columbia University Medal for Distinguished Public Service.<ref name="Obituary">Template:Cite news</ref> In addition, he was a recipient of the French Legion 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.<ref name="Obituary"/>
Family
In June 1923, Coudert married sculptor Mary Callery.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The marriage ended in divorce in May 1931,<ref name="Divorce">Template:Cite news</ref> and in October of that year he married Paula Murray.<ref name="Obituary"/> With his first wife, Coudert was the father of daughter Catherine.<ref name="Divorce"/> With his second, he was the father of son Frederic R. "Fritz" and daughter Paula.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Coudert was the great-grandson of Benjamin F. Tracy, who served as United States Secretary of the Navy from 1889 to 1893.<ref name="Obituary"/>
See also
References
External links
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- 1898 births
- 1972 deaths
- United States Army personnel of World War I
- Columbia Law School alumni
- Republican Party New York (state) state senators
- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state)
- Knights of the Legion of Honour
- Morristown-Beard School alumni
- Browning School alumni
- Columbia College, Columbia University alumni
- 20th-century members of the New York State Legislature
- 20th-century United States representatives