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Frank J. Shakespeare

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Frank J. Shakespeare
2ndUnited States Ambassador toHoly See
In office
January 8, 1987 – July 28, 1989
President
Preceded byWilliam A. Wilson
Succeeded byThomas Patrick Melady
16thUnited States Ambassador toPortugal
In office
October 16, 1985 – October 4, 1986
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byH. Allen Holmes
Succeeded byEdward Morgan Rowell
Personal details
Born(1925-04-09)April 9, 1925
New York City, U.S.
DiedDecember 14, 2022(2022-12-14)(aged 97)
Deerfield, Wisconsin,U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationCollege of the Holy Cross(BS)
OccupationDiplomat, business executive

Francis Joseph Shakespeare(April 9, 1925 – December 14, 2022) was an American diplomat, political consultant and media executive. He was the president ofCBSbefore entering public service. He served as theUnited States ambassador to Portugalfrom 1985 to 1986 and theUnited States ambassador to the Holy Seefrom 1986 to 1989. He later served as an honorary member of the board of trustees forThe Heritage Foundation.

Early life and education

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Born in New York City to Francis and Frances (néeHughes) Shakespeare on April 9, 1925,[1]and raised in theCatholicfaith, Shakespeare graduated from theCollege of the Holy Crossin 1946 with aBachelor of Science.[2]He also served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946.[1]

Career

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Shakespeare (left) withPope John Paul IIandRonald Reaganin 1987 at theApostolic Palace

Shakespeare was vice president ofCBSin New York City from 1963 to 1965, then executive vice president from 1965 to 1967,[3]when he was appointed by PresidentRichard Nixonas director of theUnited States Information Agency.[4]After serving in this capacity from 1969-1973, he returned to the private sector as executive vice president ofWestinghousein New York. In 1975 he became vice chairman ofRKO General.[5]

In 1981 PresidentRonald Reagannamed him chairman of theBoard for International Broadcasting,[6]the entity which oversaw the operations ofRadio Free Europe.He held this position until 1985, when Reagan appointed him United States Ambassador to Portugal.[5]The following year, in September 1986, Shakespeare was appointed United States Ambassador to the Holy See.[7][8]

From 1979, Shakespeare was an honorary member of the board of trustees forThe Heritage Foundation,a Washington, D.C.–based public policy research institute.[9]He also served as a trustee of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation ofMilwaukee,Wisconsin.[9]

Awards

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Shakespeare was awarded honorary degrees in engineering from theColorado School of Minesin 1975, in commercial science fromPace Universityin 1979, and in law fromSacred Heart Universityin 1985.[5]

Personal life

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Shakespeare was divorced and had one son and two daughters.[10]He served the Catholic Church as a member of theSovereign Military Order of Malta.[11]He died on December 14, 2022, at age 97.[1][12][13]

References

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  1. ^abcMartin, Douglas (December 16, 2022)."Frank Shakespeare, TV Executive Behind a New Nixon, Dies at 97".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.
  2. ^"Nomination of Frank Shakespeare To Be a Member of the Board for International Broadcasting, and Designation as Chairman".Public Papers of the Presidents.June 26, 1981.
  3. ^"A Well-Earned Curtain Call for Frank J. Shakespeare".National Review.December 18, 2022.RetrievedDecember 21,2022.
  4. ^"A New Spokesman for the U.S.; Frank Joseph Shakespeare Jr".The New York Times.January 14, 1969. p. 1.
  5. ^abc"United States Ambassador to Portugal".National Catholic Reporter.July 24, 1985.
  6. ^"Reagan Chooses EX-U.S.I.A. Head".The New York Times.May 16, 1981.
  7. ^King, Wayne; Weaver, Warren Jr (July 30, 1986)."New Vatican Envoy".The New York Times.
  8. ^"Nomination of Frank Shakespeare To Be United States Ambassador to the Holy See".Public Papers of the Presidents.September 26, 1986. Archived fromthe originalon August 22, 2017.RetrievedAugust 21,2017.
  9. ^ab"Board of Trustees".The Heritage Foundation.RetrievedJune 12,2011.
  10. ^Murphy, Brian (December 17, 2022)."Frank Shakespeare, Nixon's TV guru who redefined political ads, dies at 97".The Washington Post.RetrievedDecember 18,2022.
  11. ^"During the Cold War, Frank Shakespeare was a bard for liberty".Restoring America.December 16, 2022.RetrievedDecember 21,2022.
  12. ^"Heritage Mourns Loss of Ambassador Frank Shakespeare".Heritage. December 14, 2022.RetrievedDecember 16,2022.
  13. ^Hillyer, Quin (December 16, 2022)."During the Cold War, Frank Shakespeare was a bard for liberty".Washington Examiner.
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Diplomatic posts
Preceded by U. S. Ambassador to Portugal
1985–1986 		Succeeded by
Preceded by U. S. Ambassador to the Holy See
1986–1989 		Succeeded by
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