William vanden Heuvel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William vanden Heuvel
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| Representative of the United States to the European Office of the United Nations | |
| In office July 1, 1977 — December 5, 1979 |
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| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Henry E. Catto Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Gerald B. Helman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Jacobus vanden Heuvel
April 14, 1930 Rochester, New York, U.S. |
| Died | June 15, 2021 (aged 91) Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 4, including Katrina |
| Education | Deep Springs College Cornell University (BA, JD) |
William Jacobus vanden Heuvel (born April 14, 1930 – died June 15, 2021) was an American lawyer, businessman, writer, and diplomat. He was known for helping Robert F. Kennedy with his political campaigns. This included Kennedy's run for the Senate in 1964 and for President in 1968.
Vanden Heuvel also started the Roosevelt Institute in 1987. He was the father of Katrina vanden Heuvel, who became a well-known editor for The Nation magazine. His other daughter was actress Wendy vanden Heuvel.
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Who Was William vanden Heuvel?
William vanden Heuvel was born in Rochester, New York, on April 14, 1930. His father, Joost, came to the United States from the Netherlands. His mother, Alberta, came from Belgium. He grew up attending public schools in New York.
His Education Journey
Vanden Heuvel went to Deep Springs College. He then graduated from Cornell University. While studying at Cornell Law School, he was the main editor of the Cornell Law Review. He also led the Young Democrats and the Debate Club. He was even elected to the Tompkins County Board of Commissioners. In 1952, he became a lawyer in New York.
William vanden Heuvel's Career
Vanden Heuvel began his career working for William J. Donovan, who founded the Office of Strategic Services. From 1953 to 1954, he worked as Donovan's assistant at the U.S. embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. In 1958, vanden Heuvel served as a special advisor to New York State Governor W. Averell Harriman.
Working with Robert F. Kennedy
In 1962, vanden Heuvel became an assistant to U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. He played an important role in Kennedy's political campaigns in 1964 and 1968. As Kennedy's special assistant, vanden Heuvel helped in court cases. He worked to end segregation in the school system of Prince Edward County, Virginia. This effort helped expand the impact of the famous Brown v. Board of Education decision, which made school segregation illegal.
Later Roles and Diplomacy
In 1965, vanden Heuvel joined a law firm called Stroock & Stroock & Lavan. There, he focused on international and business law. In the 1970s, he led a group called the New York City Board of Corrections. This group looked into conditions in the city's prisons.
Later, he became a U.S. Ambassador to the European office of the United Nations in Geneva from 1977 to 1979. He also served as the United States Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations from 1979 to 1981. These roles were during the time Jimmy Carter was president.
Founding the Roosevelt Institute
Vanden Heuvel founded the Roosevelt Institute in 1987. He was its chairman until the early 2000s. This institute works to carry on the legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. He also advised an investment banking company called Allen & Company starting in 1984. He was involved with many other important groups, including the Council of American Ambassadors and the Council on Foreign Relations. He wrote a lot about the United Nations and American foreign policy.
Political Campaigns
In 1960, vanden Heuvel ran for Congress as a Democrat in New York's 17th congressional district. He ran against the Republican John Lindsay. Lindsay won that election.
In 1973, vanden Heuvel ran for Manhattan District Attorney. He challenged Frank Hogan, who had been in that job for 32 years. Hogan won the primary election easily.
Family Life
William vanden Heuvel married his first wife, Jean Stein, in 1958. They had two children, Katrina and Wendy. They divorced in 1969. Ten years later, he married Melinda Fuller Pierce. They stayed married until he passed away.
Vanden Heuvel died on June 15, 2021, at his home in Manhattan. He was 91 years old. He had health problems from pneumonia before he died.
Books by William vanden Heuvel
- William vanden Heuvel, editor. The Future of Freedom in Russia, Templeton Foundation Press (2000), ISBN: 1-890151-43-2.
- William vanden Heuvel, with Milton S. Gwirtzman. On His Own: Robert F. Kennedy, 1964–1968, Doubleday (1970), .
- William vanden Heuvel. Hope and History: A Memoir of Tumultuous Times, Cornell University Press (2019), ISBN: 9781501738197.
