Thomas M. Debevoise

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
Frederick M. Reed		 Attorney General of Vermont
1960–1962		 Succeeded by
Charles J. Adams
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