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Thomas M. Debevoise

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Thomas M. Debevoise (August 10, 1929 – February 1, 1995) was a Vermont attorney who served as Vermont Attorney General from 1960 to 1962.

Biography

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 and took part in local government, including service on Woodstock's board of selectmen.[21]

Debevoise died from the effects of lung cancer at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire on February 1, 1995.[22]

Family

Debevoise was married to Ann Taylor Debevoise.[23] They were the parents of son Thomas 3rd, daughter Anne, and sons Whitney and Clay.[24]

Legacy

Debevoise Hall, a building renovated in 2005 and added to the Vermont Law School facility, was named for Thomas M. and Ann Debevoise.[25]

References

  1. ^ "Thomas McElrath Debevoise in U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007". Ancestry.com. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  2. ^ Hevesi, Dennis (July 1, 1990). "Eli Whitney Debevoise Dies at 90; Co-Founder of a Top Law Firm". New York Times. New York, NY.
  3. ^ "Thomas Debevoise, Retired Lawyer, 84". New York Times. New York, NY. December 21, 1958.
  4. ^ "Eastern Guest". Long Beach Independent. Long Beach, CA. August 7, 1950. p. 10.
  5. ^ "Thomas Debevoise, Prosecutor, 65, Dies". New York Times. New York, NY. February 9, 1995.
  6. ^ "Thomas Debevoise, Prosecutor, 65, Dies"
  7. ^ "New Deputy". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. January 7, 1959. p. 2.
  8. ^ "Thomas Debevoise, Prosecutor, 65, Dies"
  9. ^ "State's Youngest Attorney General". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. February 8, 1960. p. 2.
  10. ^ "Veteran State Officials Return to Office". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. November 10, 1960. p. 2.
  11. ^ "Charles Adams Becomes Attorney General". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. January 3, 1962. p. 14.
  12. ^ "Charles Adams Becomes Attorney General"
  13. ^ Bergman, Vonda (January 11, 1964). "Vermonter in Washington". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. p. 11.
  14. ^ "Debevoise to Head Law School". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. March 18, 1974. p. 13.
  15. ^ "Thomas Debevoise, Prosecutor, 65, Dies"
  16. ^ "Debevoise to Head Law School"
  17. ^ "Vermont Law School Names New Dean". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. Associated Press. March 27, 1982. p. 14.
  18. ^ "D.C. Judge to Address Graduates". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. May 6, 1984. p. 17.
  19. ^ "Business People". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. July 20, 1982. p. 18.
  20. ^ "Woodstock Foundation: Mission and Purpose". Woodstock Foundation, Inc. Woodstock, VT: Billings Farm. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  21. ^ "Woodstock to Keep Town Manager". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. March 8, 1984. p. 2.
  22. ^ "Thomas Debevoise, Prosecutor, 65, Dies"
  23. ^ "Thomas Debevoise, Prosecutor, 65, Dies"
  24. ^ "Thomas Debevoise, Prosecutor, 65, Dies"
  25. ^ "Law School Dedicates $6.5 Million Renovation To Tom Debevoise". Randolph Herald. Randolph, VT. May 26, 2005.
Legal offices
Preceded by Attorney General of Vermont
1960–1962 		Succeeded by
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