John Claggett Danforth (born September 5, 1936) is a retired American politician.
He began his career in 1968 as the Attorney General of Missouri. He served three terms as a United States Senator from Missouri. He is considered a moderate and conciliator. He has been periodically called out of retirement by both of the major political parties to fill diplomatic roles. In 2004, he served briefly as United States Ambassador to the United Nations.
John Danforth | |
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24th United States Ambassador to the United Nations | |
In office July 1, 2004 – January 20, 2005 | |
President | George W. Bush |
Secretary-General | Kofi Annan |
Preceded by | John D. Negroponte |
Succeeded by | Anne Patterson (Acting) |
United States Senator from Missouri | |
In office December 27, 1976 – January 3, 1995 | |
Preceded by | Stuart Symington |
Succeeded by | John Ashcroft |
37th Attorney General of Missouri | |
In office January 13, 1969 – December 27, 1976 | |
Governor | Warren E. Hearnes (1965–1973) Kit Bond (1973–1977) |
Preceded by | Norman H. Anderson |
Succeeded by | John Ashcroft |
Personal details | |
Born | John Claggett Danforth September 5, 1936 St. Louis, Missouri |
Nationality | American |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Sally Dobson Danforth |
Alma mater | Princeton University (B.A.) Yale Law School (J.D.) Yale Divinity School |
Danforth is an ordained Episcopal priest. He presided over the state funeral of Ronald (2004) and Nancy Reagan (2016).
Danforth was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the son of Dorothy (Claggett) and Donald Danforth. He is the grandson of William H. Danforth, founder of Purina Mills. His father was the CEO of its successor, Ralston Purina. Danforth's brother, Dr. William Henry Danforth, is former chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis.
Danforth attended St. Louis Country Day School for high school. He eventually went to Princeton University where he received his bachelor's degree in 1958. While in college Danforth joined Lambda Chi Alpha, a fraternity. He then attended law and divinity graduate schools at Yale University. He was employed a short time at the New York law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell.
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