Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur Culvahouse
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| 26th United States Ambassador to Australia | |
| In office March 13, 2019 – January 19, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | John Berry |
| Succeeded by | Caroline Kennedy |
| White House Counsel | |
| In office March 20, 1987 – January 20, 1989 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Peter Wallison |
| Succeeded by | Boyden Gray |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Arthur Boggess Culvahouse Jr.
July 4, 1948 Ten Mile, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Parents | Arthur Boggess Ruth (nee Wear) |
| Education | University of Tennessee (BS) New York University (JD) |
Arthur Boggess Culvahouse Jr. was born on July 4, 1948. He is an American lawyer who worked for the government. He served as the United States Ambassador to Australia from 2019 to 2021.
Before becoming an ambassador, he was the leader of a big international law firm called O'Melveny & Myers. This firm has over 1,000 lawyers around the world. Mr. Culvahouse also worked as a legal advisor for President Ronald Reagan. He helped presidents John McCain and Donald Trump choose their vice presidential running mates.
President Trump chose Mr. Culvahouse to be the U.S. Ambassador to Australia in November 2018. The U.S. Senate approved his appointment in January 2019. He officially started his job on March 13, 2019.
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Early Life and School
Arthur Culvahouse was born in Ten Mile, Tennessee. His parents were Ruth (Wear) and Arthur Boggess Culvahouse. He went to the University of Tennessee and earned a science degree in 1970.
Later, he studied law at the New York University School of Law. He received his law degree in 1973. From 1973 to 1976, he worked for Senator Howard H. Baker Jr. as a chief legal assistant. He then worked as a lawyer at O'Melveny & Myers for many years.
Career Highlights
Working for President Reagan
From 1987 to 1989, Mr. Culvahouse was a legal advisor to U.S. President Ronald Reagan. His job was called White House Counsel. He gave the President advice on many important legal issues.
This included investigations like the Iran-Contra affair. He also advised on who should be chosen for the Supreme Court. These choices included Robert Bork and Anthony Kennedy. He also helped with the legal parts of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
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Mr. Culvahouse helped Robert Bork during his Senate hearings. Bork was nominated for the Supreme Court but was not approved. In January 1989, President Reagan gave Mr. Culvahouse the Presidential Citizens’ Medal. This award honors citizens who do great service for their country.
After the White House
After working for President Reagan, Mr. Culvahouse continued to serve the country. From 1990 to 1992, he was part of a special committee. This committee advised the Secretary of Defense, Dick Cheney, on nuclear safety. They looked at how the U.S. controls its nuclear weapons.
In December 1992, Secretary Cheney gave him the Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. Mr. Culvahouse also served on other important groups. These included the Supreme Court Fellows Commission and the Board of Visitors for the U.S. Naval Academy.
Before becoming an ambassador, he was also a member of the Brookings Institution Board of Trustees. This is a group that studies public policy.
Helping Presidential Campaigns
In May 2008, Mr. Culvahouse was chosen by John McCain. McCain was running for president and asked Culvahouse to help find a vice presidential running mate. This was the first time Mr. Culvahouse had worked on a presidential campaign.
Some people questioned the process of choosing Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate. In 2009, Mr. Culvahouse explained his work. He said Palin had a lot of potential. He told McCain it was "high risk, high reward." McCain, who liked taking risks, chose her.
In May 2016, Donald Trump also asked Mr. Culvahouse for help. Trump was running for president and chose Culvahouse to lead the search for his vice presidential running mate.
Ambassador to Australia
On November 6, 2018, President Trump nominated Mr. Culvahouse. He was chosen to be the next United States Ambassador to Australia. The position had been empty since September 2016.
The Senate approved his appointment on January 2, 2019. He officially presented his credentials on March 13, 2019. This means he formally began his role as ambassador. He left the position in January 2021, when President Trump's term ended.
