Mortimer Caplin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mortimer Caplin
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| Commissioner of Internal Revenue | |
| In office February 7, 1961 – July 10, 1964 |
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| President | John F. Kennedy Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Preceded by | Charles I. Fox (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Bernard M. Harding (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mortimer Maxwell Caplin
July 11, 1916 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 15, 2019 (aged 103) Chevy Chase, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Virginia (BS, LLB) New York University (LLM, SJD) |
Mortimer Maxwell Caplin (July 11, 1916 – July 15, 2019) was an American lawyer and teacher. He also helped start the law firm Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mortimer Caplin was born in New York City in 1916. His parents were Lillian and Daniel Caplin. He went to the University of Virginia and earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. He was also part of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, which is a very respected academic honor society.
Caplin then studied law at the University of Virginia Law School. He was at the top of his class and earned his law degree (LL.B.). He also got a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) from New York University.
Law Career and Military Service
After law school, Caplin worked for a U.S. Circuit Judge. From 1941 to 1950, he practiced law in New York City. During this time, he also served in the United States Navy during World War II.
He was a U.S. Navy beachmaster during the invasion of Normandy. He was one of the first people to land on Omaha Beach. For his brave service, he received the French Legion of Honor award.
Teaching Law
In 1950, Caplin returned to the University of Virginia. He became a law professor, teaching about tax and corporate law. He taught there for 33 years.
He once joked that he got his job at the Internal Revenue Service because he passed both Bobby and Teddy Kennedy when they were his students. He also taught at other universities later in his career. Mortimer Caplin lived a long life, turning 100 years old in July 2016.
Serving the Government
After John F. Kennedy became President, Mortimer Caplin joined a special team focused on taxes. In January 1961, he was chosen to be the U.S. Commissioner of Internal Revenue. This meant he was in charge of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which collects taxes for the government.
During his time as Commissioner, Caplin was featured on the cover of Time Magazine. The magazine called him a "highly respected tax expert." President Kennedy even visited the IRS headquarters, which was the first time a U.S. President had ever done that.
IRS Achievements
Caplin stayed at the IRS until July 1964. When he left, The Washington Post newspaper wrote about his achievements. He helped make tax laws stronger and improved the IRS's public image. He also put in place a new computer system for taxpayer records across the country.
After leaving the government, Caplin started his own law firm, Caplin & Drysdale. He used his experience with the U.S. Treasury Department and the U.S. Justice Department to help people with tax planning and legal disputes.
Community and Arts Involvement
Mortimer Caplin was very active in many educational and charity groups. He served as a Trustee for the University of Virginia and the George Washington University. He also supported arts organizations like Arena Stage and the Shakespeare Theatre.
Supporting the Arts
Caplin had a strong love for the arts from his college days. He was president of the Virginia Players, a theater group, and even acted in a play called Julius Caesar. In 1942, he married Ruth Sacks, who became a screenwriter. Her film "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont" was very successful.
Together, Mortimer and Ruth created a special fund at the University of Virginia. This fund helped bring famous actors, directors, and artists to teach students. As the head of the Council for the Arts, Caplin also started the Arts Enhancement Fund. This fund raised millions of dollars to build a new arts area at the university, now called the Arts Grounds.
The Caplins also gave $4 million to the University of Virginia to help build the Ruth Caplin Theatre. This theater was named after his wife and officially opened in 2013.
Awards and Special Recognition
Mortimer Caplin received many awards for his work and contributions. The University of Virginia gave him the Thomas Jefferson Medal in Law, which is their highest honor. He also received an honorary law degree from Washington College.
Military Honors
The American Bar Foundation honored him at the National World War II Museum. He was also named "Chevalier" of the Légion d'honneur (Legion of Honor) by the President of the French Republic. This award recognized his important role in helping to free France during World War II. The state of Maryland also recognized this honor.
Caplin was a talented athlete too. He was a champion boxer in college. He also received the Medal of the Jubilee of Liberty from the Governor of the Normandy Region.
Government and Professional Awards
When he left the U.S. government, he received the Alexander Hamilton Award. This is the highest award given by the Secretary of the Treasury. It recognized his "distinguished leadership."
He also received many awards from legal and tax organizations, such as the Judge Learned Hand Human Relations Award. The University of Virginia named him a Professor Emeritus, which is an honorary title for retired professors. He was listed as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" for tax law.
In 2009, the Miller Center of Public Affairs hosted a big economic conference called the Mortimer Caplin Conference on the World Economy. This conference brings together experts to discuss important global economic issues. Caplin was also part of the Veterans History Project, which collects stories from American veterans.
Family Life and Passing
Mortimer Caplin was married to Ruth Caplin for 72 years. They had five children together. Ruth passed away in 2014. Mortimer Caplin died on July 15, 2019, just four days after his 103rd birthday.
See also
- Virginia Tax Review
