Shelby Cullom Davis
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Shelby Cullom Davis (April 1, 1909 – May 26, 1994) was a New York investment banker, philanthropist and former United States Ambassador to Switzerland. He served as the American envoy in Bern under Presidents Nixon and Ford (1969 to 1975).
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[edit] Education
He graduated from Princeton University in 1930 and earned a master's degree at Columbia University in 1931. He earned a doctorate in political science at the University of Geneva in 1934.
[edit] Thomas E. Dewey
He worked as a European correspondent for the CBS in Geneva and as an economist before joining the staff of Thomas E. Dewey, whom he advised during Dewey's presidential runs in 1940 and 1944. Under Mr. Dewey as Governor of New York, Davis served as First Deputy Superintendent of Insurance from 1944 to 1947.
[edit] Business Career
He headed Shelby Cullom Davis & Company, a firm specializing in insurance securities that he founded in 1947. He became a member of the New York Stock Exchange in 1941 and for many years was the managing partner of the firm bearing his name. He was its chairman at the time of his death. His son Shelby formed Davis Selected Advisers in 1969.
[edit] Death
Mr. Davis died at his house in Hobe Sound, Florida, aged 85, following a brief illness. He also lived in Tarrytown, New York. He was survived by his wife of 62 years, Kathryn Wasserman Davis; two children and eight grandchildren.
[edit] Philanthropy
He provided significant financial support to Princeton University (his alma mater) and also funded chairs at Wellesley College, and professorships of free enterprise at Wellesley and at the Cullom - Davis Library at Bradley University. He also provided support to the Library and Museum of the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center in NYC.
[edit] Affiliations
He was chairman and treasurer of the eponymous, conservative think-tank, the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation, at the time of his death. He was also affiliated with the Heritage Foundation and the Sons and Daughters of the Mayflower.
