Kingman Brewster, Jr.

Date of Birth: June 17, 1919

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: November 8, 1988

Biography

Kingman Brewster, Jr. was an esteemed American educator and diplomat, best known for his transformative presidency at Yale University and his subsequent role as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Born in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Brewster was a brilliant academic from an early age, graduating from Yale University in 1941 and then Harvard Law School in 1948 after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. As Yale’s President from 1963 to 1977, Brewster led the university through a turbulent era marked by the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and significant social upheaval. He was a strong advocate for academic freedom and played a key role in the diversification of the student body, including the admission of women to Yale College for the first time in 1969. After his tenure at Yale, Brewster served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1977 to 1981, where he cultivated strong diplomatic relations during a period of economic and political challenges. Following his ambassadorship, he continued to be active in educational and legal circles until his passing in 1988.

5 Interesting Facts about Kingman Brewster, Jr.

1. Brewster was a Rhodes Scholar but deferred his studies at Oxford to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

2. He played a pivotal role in the coeducation movement at Yale by admitting women to Yale College in 1969.

3. Brewster was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War, which led to significant controversy and student protests during his presidency.

4. He was known for his charismatic and approachable leadership style, which earned him both admiration and criticism.

5. Brewster’s diplomatic efforts as Ambassador to the United Kingdom helped to strengthen the “Special Relationship” between the U.S. and the UK during the late 1970s.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Kingman Brewster, Jr.

1. “Universities should be safe havens where ruthless examination of realities will not be distorted by the aim to please or inhibited by the risk of displeasure.”

2. “The presumption of innocence is not just a legal principle, it’s a moral imperative.”

3. “The demand for certainty is one which is natural to man, but is nevertheless an intellectual vice.”

4. “We live in an age of questioning, but we must not let our skepticism become an excuse for inaction.”

5. “The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures are not publicly available, Kingman Brewster, Jr.’s net worth was modest compared to contemporary business magnates, reflecting his career in education and public service rather than in high-income professions.

Children

Kingman Brewster, Jr. and his wife Mary Louise Phillips had five children: 1. Kingman Brewster III 2. Charles Brewster 3. Andrew Brewster 4. Mary Anne Brewster 5. Deborah Brewster