Robert Douglas Coe
Robert Douglas Coe (February 27, 1902– May 26, 1985) was a career diplomat and the U.S. ambassador to Denmark from 1953 to 1957.
Biography
He was the second son of William Robertson Coe and Mai Huttleston Rogers Coe. He attended St. Paul's School; later he received an A.B. in fine arts from Harvard University, and completed an M.A. at Magdalen College, Oxford, England.
Although his father hoped young Robert would pursue a career in law or banking, he instead intended to become an architect, and took drawing lessons from Robert Chanler and Everett Shinn.
His father William Robertson Coe was not fond of the idea of his son becoming an architect, and, ultimately, Bob became a career diplomat.
Robert painted as a hobby, and never married.
Career
Bob was posted to Brazil, Turkey, India, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, before serving as U.S. ambassador to Denmark from 1953 to 1957. As a board member of the Planting Fields Foundation and Chairman of the Board between 1971 and 1985, he helped spark interest in the early restoration work at Coe Hall, particularly the Breakfast Room ("Buffalo Room") murals and the conservation of paintings and stained glass.
Diplomatic Service
| Porto Alegre, Brazil | 1928–1930 |
| Peru | 1930–1931 |
| Turkey | 1931–1935 |
| Calcutta, India | 1935–1937 |
| Washington, DC: The Balkans Desk | 1937–1941 |
| London | 1941–1948 |
| Holland | 1948–1950 |
| Washington, D.C. | 1950–1952 |
| Retired | 1952 |
| Recalled by President Eisenhower | 1953 |
| Ambassador to Denmark | 1953–1957 |
Sources
- United States Department of State: Ambassadors to Denmark
- The Political Graveyard: Robert Douglas Coe
External links
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Eugenie Anderson |
U.S. Ambassador to Denmark 1953–1957 |
Succeeded by Val Peterson |