Edward Elliot Elson
United States Ambassador to Denmark
In office
1993–1998
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded byRichard Stone
Succeeded byRichard Swett
Personal details
Born (1934-03-08) March 8, 1934 (age 90)
Norfolk, Virginia
Spouse
Suzanne Wolf Goodman
​
​
(after 1957)​
EducationPhillips Academy
Alma materUniversity of Virginia
Emory University School of Law (JD)

Edward Elliot Elson (born March 8, 1934) is a non-career appointee who was the American ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Denmark from 1993 until 1998.[1]

Early life

Elson was born in 1934 in Norfolk, Virginia. His father, Harry Elson, was a book seller and periodical distributor, including The Virginia Spectator.[2]

He attended Phillips Academy, the University of Virginia, and law school at Emory University.[2]

Career

When Elson finished his education, he took over the family business, where he is said to have "pioneered retail outlets in airports and hotels"[3] as well as train stations.[2] He was also a faculty and board member of the University of Virginia and chairman of the Board of the following: Bank of Gordon County; Elsonýs; Atlanta News Agency, Inc.; W.H. Smith Holdings (USA); and, The Majestic Wine Corp.[4]

He is a Charter Trustee of Phillips Academy, director of Hampton Investments, Rector of the University of Virginia, founding Chairman of National Public Radio and Chairman of the Jewish Publication Society.[3]

Diplomatic career

On November 22, 1993, Elson was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Denmark. He presented his credentials on January 18, 1994.[5]

When the Soviet Union fell, the long term power dynamics in the region shifted. Eight countries in Scandinavia and the Baltics formed to create the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) to help the Baltic's transition. As Ambassador, Elson "helped to strengthen the bonds of the Nordic-Baltic region and secure American alliances in the region."[3]

Elson left his post on June 25, 1998.[5]

Personal life

In 1957, Edward was married to Suzanne "Susie" Wolf Goodman, a daughter of Charles Francis Goodman of Memphis, Tennessee.[6] She attended the Lausanne School for Girls in Memphis and the Dana Hall School in Wellesley before attending Randolph-Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, Virginia.[6] Susie was a member of the board of regents for the University System of Georgia, former chairwoman of the American Craft Council in New York, and served as chair of Palm Beach's Society of the Four Arts. Together, they are the parents of:[7]

The Elsons owned a two-bedroom pied-à-terre on Park Avenue near 58th Street in New York City.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Edward Elliot Elson". Office of the Historian. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Nelander, John (January 17, 2011). "Ambassador Elson has rich treasure of political tales". Palm Beach Daily News. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Edward Elson: Entrepreneurial Ambassador to Denmark". Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Edward E. Elson". Council of American Ambassadors. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Edward Elliot Elson (1934–)". history.state.gov. Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute United States Department of State. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Miss Suzanne Wolf Goodman Betrothed To Edward Elson, Virginia Law Student". The New York Times. March 24, 1957. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b Stewart, James B.; Hirsch, Lauren (March 16, 2024). "The Billionaire Taking on Disney Just Wants Some Respect. The longtime corporate agitator feels misunderstood. Maybe his fight with Disney could change that". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  8. ^ "WEDDINGS; Aimee F. Kemker, Charles M. Elson". The New York Times. December 19, 1993. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  9. ^ "WEDDINGS; Lisa Orange, Harry Elson". The New York Times. October 4, 1998. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  10. ^ Hall, Trish (May 20, 2001). "Habitats/Park Avenue Near 58th Street; Creating a Pied-à-Terre For the Pied-à-Terre". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
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