Thomas M. Debevoise | |
|---|---|
| Attorney General of Vermont | |
| In office February 2, 1960 – January 1, 1962 | |
| Preceded by | Frederick M. Reed |
| Succeeded by | Charles J. Adams |
| Deputy Attorney General of Vermont | |
| In office January 2, 1959 – February 1, 1960 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen B. Richardson |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Crowley Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 10, 1929 New York City, New York |
| Died | February 1, 1995 (aged 65) Lebanon, New Hampshire |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Ann Taylor Debevoise (m. 1951–1995, his death) |
| Relations | Eli Whitney Debevoise (father) |
| Children | 4 (including Whitney Debevoise) |
| Education | Yale University Columbia Law School |
| Occupation | Attorney Law School Dean |
Thomas M. Debevoise (August 10, 1929 – February 1, 1995) was a Vermont attorney who served as Vermont Attorney General from 1960 to 1962.
Thomas McElrath Debevoise 2d was born in New York City on August 10, 1929.[1] He was the son of prominent attorney Eli Whitney Debevoise,[2] and the grandson and namesake of Thomas M. Debevoise (1874-1958), who was the longtime attorney for John D. Rockefeller.[3] He received a bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1950,[4] and a law degree from Columbia Law School in 1954.[5]
After attaining admission to the bar, Debevoise was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1954 to 1956.[6] He relocated to Woodstock, Vermont, and practiced law for two years before becoming Deputy Attorney General for the state of Vermont, a post he held from 1959 to 1960.[7] While in private practice, he assisted James B. Donovan in the defense of accused spy Rudolf Abel.[8]
In February 1960, Robert Stafford, the Governor of Vermont, appointed Debevoise to serve as state Attorney General, filling the vacancy caused when incumbent Frederick M. Reed resigned.[9] Debevoise won election to a full term as a Republican in November 1960,[10] and served until resigning in January 1962.[11] He was succeeded by Charles J. Adams.[12]
From 1962 to 1964, Debevoise was assistant general counsel for the Federal Power Commission.[13] He then returned to the practice of law.[14]
Debevoise was president of the Vermont Law School board of trustees from 1973 to 1974, and Dean of the school from 1974 to 1982.[15][16][17] He became Dean Emeritus in 1982, and served as trustee emeritus from 1983 to 1995. In 1984 Vermont Law School awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.[18]
Debevoise was president of the Woodstock Foundation from 1982 to 1995;[19] this organization was founded by Laurance Rockefeller and Mary French Rockefeller to promote conservation and sustainable land use.[20] He was also involved in several civic causes.
Debevoise died from the effects of lung cancer at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire on February 1, 1995.[21]
Debevoise was married to Ann Taylor Debevoise.[22] They were the parents of son Thomas 3rd, daughter Anne, and sons Whitney and Clay.[23]
Debevoise Hall, a building renovated in 2005 and added to the Vermont Law School facility, was named for Thomas M. and Ann Debevoise.[24]