Charles Yost facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Yost
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| 9th United States Ambassador to the United Nations | |
| In office January 23, 1969 – February 25, 1971 |
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| President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | James Russell Wiggins |
| Succeeded by | George H. W. Bush |
| United States Ambassador to Morocco | |
| In office August 6, 1958 – March 5, 1961 |
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| President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Preceded by | Cavendish W. Cannon |
| Succeeded by | Philip Bonsal |
| United States Ambassador to Syria | |
| In office January 16, 1958 – February 22, 1958 |
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| President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Preceded by | James S. Moose Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Raymond A. Hare (United Arab Republic) |
| United States Ambassador to Laos | |
| In office November 1, 1954 – April 27, 1956 |
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| President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Preceded by | Donald R. Heath |
| Succeeded by | J. Graham Parsons |
| United States Ambassador to Thailand Acting |
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| In office January 5, 1946 – July 4, 1946 |
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| President | Harry S. Truman |
| Preceded by | Willys R. Peck |
| Succeeded by | Edwin F. Stanton |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Woodruff Yost
November 6, 1907 Watertown, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 21, 1981 (aged 73) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Princeton University (BA) |
| Signature |  |
Charles Woodruff Yost (born November 6, 1907 – died May 21, 1981) was an important American diplomat. He worked for the U.S. government for many years, representing his country in different parts of the world. From 1969 to 1971, he was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, which means he was the main representative for the United States at the UN.
Contents
About Charles Woodruff Yost
Early Life and Education
Charles Woodruff Yost was born in Watertown, New York, on November 6, 1907. He went to the Hotchkiss School and then graduated from Princeton University in 1928. After college, he continued his studies in Paris, France. He also traveled to many countries in Europe.
Starting a Career in Diplomacy
In 1930, Yost joined the U.S. Foreign Service. This is a group of diplomats who represent the United States in other countries. His first jobs were in Egypt and Poland. In 1933, he left the Foreign Service to work as a writer and journalist in Europe and New York.
He returned to the U.S. State Department in 1935. The State Department is the part of the U.S. government that handles foreign policy. Yost worked on important topics like arms control. He also helped prepare for the United Nations Charter at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference in 1944. This charter is like the rulebook for the United Nations. He also helped at the conference in San Francisco where the United Nations was officially created.
Ambassador Roles Around the World
In 1945, Yost rejoined the Foreign Service. He served in many countries, including Thailand, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Greece.
- In 1954, he became the U.S. Minister to Laos. A year later, he became the first U.S. Ambassador to Laos.
- In 1957, he was named Ambassador to Syria.
- In 1958, he became Ambassador to Morocco.
Working at the United Nations
In 1961, Yost began working at the United Nations in New York City. He was the deputy (assistant) to the U.S. Ambassador. He held this important role for several years. In 1964, he received the title of Career Ambassador. This is the highest honor for a professional diplomat, given for long and excellent service.
In 1966, Yost left the Foreign Service. He started writing books and teaching at universities.
Ambassador to the United Nations
In 1969, President Richard Nixon asked Yost to return to public service. He became the main U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. He served in this role until 1971. After that, he went back to writing and teaching.
Later Life and Contributions
Yost shared his ideas by writing newspaper columns and four books. These books were about foreign relations and history.
He was also involved in important international discussions. For example, he helped lead a group that supported the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT II). This treaty aimed to limit nuclear weapons between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. He also worked to improve relations between the United States and China. He visited China in 1973 and 1977.
Charles Woodruff Yost passed away from cancer on May 21, 1981, in Washington, D.C.. His important papers are kept at Princeton University Library.
Yost's Family Background
Yost's family had a long history in the United States. Some of his ancestors came from Germany in the late 1600s. Others were from Scotland and Ireland and arrived in the mid-1700s.
His ancestor, Edward Howell, helped found Watermill in New York. Another ancestor, Abraham Cooper, founded Oxbow, New York. Yost also had an ancestor named Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer, who was a hero in the American Revolutionary War.
In 1934, Charles Yost married Irena Rawicz-Oldakowska in Poland. Her father was Kazimierz Ołdakowski, who was a director of a factory that made weapons before World War II. Charles and Irena had two sons, Nicholas and Casimir, and one daughter, Felicity.
