Frank J. Shakespeare facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank J. Shakespeare
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| 2nd United States Ambassador to Holy See | |
| In office January 8, 1987 – July 28, 1989 |
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| President | |
| Preceded by | William A. Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Patrick Melady |
| 16th United States Ambassador to Portugal | |
| In office October 16, 1985 – October 4, 1986 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | H. Allen Holmes |
| Succeeded by | Edward Morgan Rowell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 9, 1925 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | December 14, 2022 (aged 97) Deerfield, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | College of the Holy Cross (BS) |
| Occupation | Diplomat, business executive |
Francis Joseph Shakespeare (born April 9, 1925 – died December 14, 2022) was an important American diplomat and a leader in the media world. He worked as the president of CBS, a big TV company, before he started working for the government. He was the United States ambassador to Portugal from 1985 to 1986. Later, he became the United States ambassador to the Holy See from 1986 to 1989.
Early Life and Education
Frank Shakespeare was born in New York City on April 9, 1925. His parents were Francis and Frances Shakespeare. He grew up in the Catholic faith. In 1946, he graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a science degree. He also served in the U.S. Navy for a short time, from 1945 to 1946.
Career Highlights
Frank Shakespeare had a long and interesting career. From 1963 to 1967, he was a top leader at CBS, a major television network in New York City.
In 1969, President Richard Nixon chose him to be the director of the United States Information Agency. This agency helped share information about the U.S. with other countries. He held this job until 1973.
After working for the government, he returned to the business world. He became an executive at Westinghouse in New York. In 1975, he joined RKO General as a vice chairman.
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan asked him to lead the Board for International Broadcasting. This group was in charge of Radio Free Europe, which broadcast news to countries behind the Iron Curtain. He stayed in this role until 1985.
President Reagan then appointed him as the United States Ambassador to Portugal. The next year, in September 1986, Shakespeare became the United States Ambassador to the Holy See. The Holy See is the government of the Catholic Church, led by the Pope.
From 1979, Shakespeare was an important member of the board of trustees for The Heritage Foundation. This group studies public policy in Washington, D.C. He also served as a trustee for the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Awards and Recognition
Frank Shakespeare received several special honors during his life. Universities gave him honorary degrees for his achievements. He received one in engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 1975. Pace University gave him an honorary degree in commercial science in 1979. In 1985, Sacred Heart University awarded him an honorary law degree.
Personal Life
Frank Shakespeare was divorced and had three children: one son and two daughters. He was a member of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which is a Catholic order that does charity work. He passed away on December 14, 2022, at the age of 97.
See also
In Spanish: Francis Shakespeare para niños
