Christopher Makins, 2nd Baron Sherfield
Encyclopedia
Christopher James Makins, 2nd Baron Sherfield (23 July 1942 – 28 January 2006) was an Anglo
-American
diplomat
, foreign policy expert, and author.
Christopher James Makins was born at Southampton, New York
on 23 July 1942, the son of a British father Roger Mellor Makins, later 1st Baron Sherfield
and an American mother, Alice Brooks Davis, daughter of the American
sportsman and politician Dwight F. Davis
. Thus he held dual citizenship of the UK and the United States. In the United Kingdom
he was known as "Lord Sherfield"; in the United States
, as "Mr. Makins".
He was educated at St Ronan's School, Winchester College
, and New College, Oxford
. After taking a first-class degree in Modern History in 1963, he was elected a Fellow of All Souls
(1963-77).
From 1964 until 1975 he served in H. M. Diplomatic Service. In 1975 he married American photographer, writer, and illustrator Wendy Whitney Cortesi, daughter of John Sargent Whitney of Evergreen, Colorado
and jewelry designer Minna Reese Marston. The family lived in Washington, D.C.
, where he worked for the Trilateral Commission
(Deputy Director 1975-76), the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
, and the Aspen Institute
(Executive Vice President 1989-97) before becoming President of the Atlantic Council of the United States (1999-2005). He was a Senior Adviser to the German Marshall Fund
(1997-99 and 2005-06) and President of the Marshall Sherfield Foundation, which he had established in memory of his father.
He wrote or contributed to numerous articles and reports over the course of his career, including The Study of Europe in the United States: A Report to the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States (1998).
He was also an art collector and active on the boards of arts organizations such as the Phillips Collection
, Washington Concert Opera, and WETA
.
on 28 January 2006, aged 63, at his home in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
. Subsequent speakers have included former President of Latvia
, Dr. Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga
(2007); Dr. Henry Kissinger
(2009); and former Secretary General of NATO, Lord George Robertson
(2010).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
, foreign policy expert, and author.
Christopher James Makins was born at Southampton, New York
Southampton (town), New York
The Town of Southampton is located in southeastern Suffolk County, New York, U.S., partly on the South Fork of Long Island. As of the United States 2000 Census, the town had a total population of 54,712...
on 23 July 1942, the son of a British father Roger Mellor Makins, later 1st Baron Sherfield
Roger Makins, 1st Baron Sherfield
Roger Mellor Makins, 1st Baron Sherfield, GCB, GCMG, FRS , was a British diplomat who served as British Ambassador to the United States from 1953 to 1956....
and an American mother, Alice Brooks Davis, daughter of the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sportsman and politician Dwight F. Davis
Dwight F. Davis
Dwight Filley Davis was an American tennis player and politician. He is best remembered as the founder of the Davis Cup international tennis competition.-Biography:...
. Thus he held dual citizenship of the UK and the United States. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
he was known as "Lord Sherfield"; in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, as "Mr. Makins".
He was educated at St Ronan's School, Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
, and New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
. After taking a first-class degree in Modern History in 1963, he was elected a Fellow of All Souls
All Souls College, Oxford
The Warden and the College of the Souls of all Faithful People deceased in the University of Oxford or All Souls College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England....
(1963-77).
From 1964 until 1975 he served in H. M. Diplomatic Service. In 1975 he married American photographer, writer, and illustrator Wendy Whitney Cortesi, daughter of John Sargent Whitney of Evergreen, Colorado
Evergreen, Colorado
Evergreen is a census-designated place and a U.S. Post Office in Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Evergreen is roughly west of Denver. The population was 9,038 at the 2010 census...
and jewelry designer Minna Reese Marston. The family lived in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, where he worked for the Trilateral Commission
Trilateral Commission
The Trilateral Commission is a non-governmental, non-partisan discussion group founded by David Rockefeller in July 1973 to foster closer cooperation among the United States, Europe and Japan.-History:...
(Deputy Director 1975-76), the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a foreign-policy think tank based in Washington, D.C. The organization describes itself as being dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States...
, and the Aspen Institute
Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1950 as the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies. The organization is dedicated to "fostering enlightened leadership, the appreciation of timeless ideas and values, and open-minded dialogue on contemporary issues." The...
(Executive Vice President 1989-97) before becoming President of the Atlantic Council of the United States (1999-2005). He was a Senior Adviser to the German Marshall Fund
German Marshall Fund
The German Marshall Fund of the United States is a nonpartisan American public policy and grantmaking institution dedicated to promoting greater cooperation and understanding between North America and Europe....
(1997-99 and 2005-06) and President of the Marshall Sherfield Foundation, which he had established in memory of his father.
He wrote or contributed to numerous articles and reports over the course of his career, including The Study of Europe in the United States: A Report to the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States (1998).
He was also an art collector and active on the boards of arts organizations such as the Phillips Collection
Phillips Collection
The Phillips Collection is an art museum founded by Duncan Phillips in 1921 as the Phillips Memorial Gallery located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Phillips was the grandson of James H...
, Washington Concert Opera, and WETA
Weta
Weta is the name given to about 70 insect species endemic to New Zealand. There are many similar species around the world, though most are in the southern hemisphere. The name comes from the Māori word 'wētā' and is the same in the plural...
.
Death
He died from cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
on 28 January 2006, aged 63, at his home in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Georgetown is a neighborhood located in northwest Washington, D.C., situated along the Potomac River. Founded in 1751, the port of Georgetown predated the establishment of the federal district and the City of Washington by 40 years...
Legacy
In 2005, the Atlantic Council of the United States established the Christopher J. Makins Lecture Series, which focuses on "the state of the strategic Atlantic partnership, its future direction and the prospects for the furtherance of common European and U.S. interests in order to facilitate strong and lasting global leadership." The inaugural lecture was delivered on 31 May 2006 by The Hon. Zbigniew BrzezinskiZbigniew Brzezinski
Zbigniew Kazimierz Brzezinski is a Polish American political scientist, geostrategist, and statesman who served as United States National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981....
. Subsequent speakers have included former President of Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, Dr. Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga
Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga was the sixth President of Latvia, the first female President of Latvia and the first female leader in eastern Europe. She was elected President of Latvia in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.Dr...
(2007); Dr. Henry Kissinger
Henry Kissinger
Heinz Alfred "Henry" Kissinger is a German-born American academic, political scientist, diplomat, and businessman. He is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He served as National Security Advisor and later concurrently as Secretary of State in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and...
(2009); and former Secretary General of NATO, Lord George Robertson
George Robertson
George Robertson may refer to:*George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen , UK Defence Secretary, NATO Secretary-General*George Croom Robertson , Scottish philosopher*George R. Robertson , American actor*George S...
(2010).
Sources
- ThePeerage.com
- Louie Estrada, 'Christopher Makins; Expert on Security Policy', Washington Post, Wednesday, February 1, 2006, p. B06
- Marshall Sherfield Fellowships
- Remembering Christopher Makins
- The Study of Europe in the United States by Christopher J. Makins, Donald Hancock, and Fritz W. Scharpf
- Debrett's People of Today (12th edn, London, 1999), p. 1778