Mercer Cook facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Will Mercer Cook
3rd United States Ambassador to Senegal
In office July 9, 1964 – July 1, 1966
President	Lyndon B. Johnson
Preceded by	Philip Mayer Kaiser
Succeeded by	William R. Rivkin
1st United States Ambassador to The Gambia
In office May 18, 1965 – July 1, 1966
President	Lyndon B. Johnson
Preceded by	office established
Succeeded by	William R. Rivkin
2nd United States Ambassador to Niger
In office June 22, 1961 – May 30, 1964
President	John F. Kennedy Lyndon B. Johnson
Preceded by	R. Borden Reams
Succeeded by	Robert J. Ryan
Personal details
Born	March 30, 1903 Washington, D.C.
Died	October 4, 1987 Washington, D.C.
Nationality	United States
Spouse	Vashti Smith (August 31, 1929 - 1969, her death)
Children	Mercer Jacques
Alma mater	Amherst College, BA, 1925; University of Paris, teacher's diploma, 1926; Brown University, MA, 1931, PhD, 1936
Profession	Diplomat

Will Mercer Cook (born March 30, 1903 – died October 4, 1987) was an important American diplomat and professor. He was often called Mercer Cook. He made history as the first U.S. ambassador to the Gambia after it became an independent country in 1965. At the same time, he was also serving as the ambassador to Senegal. Before these roles, he was the second U.S. ambassador to Niger.

Mercer Cook's Early Life and Education

Will Mercer Cook was born in Washington D.C. on March 30, 1903. His father, Will Marion Cook, was a famous composer of musical theater. His mother, Abbie Mitchell, was a talented soprano singer. She was well-known for playing "Clara" in the first show of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Mercer had one sister, Marion Abigail Cook.

As a child, Mercer traveled a lot with his parents. They went across the United States and Europe for their music careers. The Cook family lived near the famous jazz musician Duke Ellington in Washington, D.C.

Mercer went to Dunbar High School in Washington D.C. This was a top academic school for Black students. After high school, he earned a bachelor's degree from Amherst College in 1925. He then went to Paris, France, to study more. In 1926, he received a teacher's diploma from the University of Paris.

In 1929, Mercer Cook married Vashti Smith, who was a social worker. They had two sons, named Mercer and Jacques.

Cook continued his studies at Brown University. He earned a master's degree in French in 1931. He completed his doctorate degree in 1936.

Teaching Career and Writings

While studying, Cook worked as a professor. From 1927 to 1936, he was an assistant professor of French at Howard University. After getting his doctorate, he became a French professor at Atlanta University. He taught there from 1936 to 1943. During this time, he received special fellowships to study in Paris and the French West Indies. He also studied at the University of Havana.

From 1943 to 1945, Cook taught English at the University of Haiti. He wrote a book called Handbook for Haitian Teachers of English. He also wrote literary criticism and edited a collection of Haitian writings.

After two years in Haiti, Cook returned to Washington, D.C.. He became a professor of French at Howard University again, staying until 1960. He kept writing about Haiti and translated works by African and West Indian writers from French to English. In 1959, he translated works by Léopold Sédar Senghor, who later became the president of Senegal.

Serving as an Ambassador

In the late 1950s, Mercer Cook became involved in international relations. He worked for the American Society of African Culture and the Congress of Cultural Freedom.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy chose Cook to be the U.S. ambassador to Niger. Niger had recently become independent from France in 1960. As ambassador, Cook helped manage U.S. aid programs in Niger. He also oversaw the Peace Corps and cultural activities there. His wife, Vashti, also helped with social programs, like giving out medical supplies and working with women's groups.

In 1963, Cook was also chosen as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly. He served as ambassador to Niger until 1964.

In 1966, Cook went back to Howard University to lead the French department. He also taught as a visiting professor at Harvard University in 1969.

In 1969, Cook published a book called The Militant Black Writer in Africa and the United States. He wrote it with Stephen Henderson. In his part of the book, Cook discussed how African poets and novelists had used their writing to protest for many years.

Mercer Cook retired from teaching in 1970. He continued to write and publish books in the 1970s. He passed away from pneumonia in Washington, D.C., on October 4, 1987.

Awards and Honors

Mercer Cook received several awards for his work:

• John W. Simpson Fellowship, 1925–26
• General Education Board Fellowship, 1934, 1942
• Rosenwald Fellowship, 1938
• Decorations from the Government of Haiti, 1945
• Decorations from the Republic of Niger, 1964
• Decorations from Senegal, 1966
• Palmes Academiques, France
• LL.D. (honorary law degree) from Amherst College, 1965
• LL.D. (honorary law degree) from Brown University, 1970

Memberships

Mercer Cook was a member of many important groups:

• Association for the Study of African American Life and History
• American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
• American Association of Teachers of French
• Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Omega Psi Phi