Merle Thorpe, Jr. (1918 – February 13, 1994) was an American lawyer and philanthropist.
Merle Thorpe Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1918 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | February 13, 1994 (aged 75–76) |
| Alma mater | Yale College Yale University |
| Occupation(s) | Lawyer and philanthropist |
Early life, education and military service
editThorpe was born in Washington, D.C., and attended the Sidwell Friends School, the St. Albans School – both in Washington – and the Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire.[1][2] He then earned bachelor's and law degrees from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.[1]
Thorpe served as a U.S. Navy intelligence officer during World War II.
Career and philanthropy
editAfter the war, Thorpe joined the Washington, D.C., law firm Hogan & Hartson, where he was a partner from 1956 to 1982.[1]
Thorpe led a number of early shareholder's rights battles.[2]
Thorpe took a trip to the Middle East with U.S. Senator William Fulbright in 1975 and afterwards Fulbright became a mentor to Thorpe about the region.
Thorpe's interest in the region led him to start the Foundation for Middle East Peace in 1979.[2][3]
Death
editHe died of cancer in 1994.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Robert Sherrod Dies". The Washington Post. 15 February 1994.
- ^ a b c d "Merle Thorpe, 76, Shareholders' Rights Advocate". The New York Times. 15 February 1994.
- ^ "Personality Merle Thorpe, Jr". Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. 17 December 1984.