Robert Douglas Coe

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Robert Douglas Coe (1902–1985) was the second son of William Robertson Coe and Mai Huttleston Rogers Coe.

He attended St. Paul's School; later he received an A.B. in fine arts from Harvard University, and completed an M.A. at Magdalen College, Oxford, England.

Although his father hoped young Robert would pursue a career in law or banking, Bob Coe instead intended to become an architect, and took drawing lessons from Robert Chanler and Everett Shinn. (Bob continued to paint for the rest of his life).

His father William Robertson Coe was not fond of the idea of his son becoming an architect, and, ultimately, Bob became a career diplomat.

Bob was posted to Brazil, Turkey, India, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, and served as U.S. ambassador to Denmark from 1953 to 1957. As a board member of the Planting Fields Foundation and Chairman of the Board between 1971 and 1985, he helped spark interest in the early restoration work at Coe Hall, particularly the Breakfast Room ("Buffalo Room") murals and the conservation of paintings and stained glass.

Robert never married.

[edit] Diplomatic Service

Porto Alegre, Brazil	1928–1930
Peru	1930–1931
Turkey	1931–1935
Calcutta, India	1935–1937
Washington, DC: The Balkans Desk	1937–1941
London	1941–1948
Holland	1948–1950
Washington, D.C.	1950–1952
Retired	1952
Called back by President Eisenhower	1953
Ambassador to Denmark	1953–1957