Roy Leslie Austin (born 1939) is a former United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago from December 2001 to December 2009.

Roy L. Austin
15th U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago
In office
December 6, 2001 – December 18, 2009
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Barack Obama
Preceded byEdward E. Shumaker III
Succeeded byBeatrice Wilkinson Welters
Personal details
Born
Roy Leslie Austin

(1939-12-13) December 13, 1939 (age 84)
Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
SpouseGlynis Josephine Sutherland
ChildrenRoy L. Austin, Jr.
Roger Austin
Deborah Austin Depay
EducationYale University (B.A.)
University of Washington
(M.A., Ph.D.)
OccupationProfessor of Sociology

Biography

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Born in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, he moved to the United States to study and later became a U.S. citizen. He attended Yale University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. While there he befriended future U.S. President George W. Bush and both were inducted to the secret society Skull and Bones.[1][2][3] He earned a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Washington.

Austin was Associate Professor of Sociology, Justice, and African American Studies at Pennsylvania State University and served as director of the Crime, Law, and Justice Program and the Africana Research Center.

Bush appointed Austin to the post of Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago. He was sworn in October 19, 2001.[3] He left the post on December 18, 2009.

Personal life

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In 1967, Austin married Glynis Josephine Sutherland. They have three children, Roy L. Austin, Jr., Roger Austin, and Deborah Austin Depay.[4] Austin's eldest son, Roy Jr., served as a Deputy Assistant to President Barack Obama leading the White House Office of Urban Affairs, Justice, and Opportunity.

References

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  1. ^ Alexandra Robbins, Secrets of the Tomb: Skull and Bones, the Ivy League, and the Hidden Paths of Power, Little, Brown and Company, 2002, page 177, 181-2.
  2. ^ Don Oldenburg, "Tippy-Top Secret; Yalies Bush and Kerry Share a Patrician Past Of Skull and Bones", Washington Post, April 4, 2004
  3. ^ a b George W. Bush, Decision Points, London: Virgin Books, 2010, p. 14
  4. ^ "Austin, Roy L." BlackPast.org. 3 June 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
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Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago
2001–2009
Succeeded by