Frank Shakespeare
Encyclopedia
Francis J. Shakespeare is a former American
diplomat and media executive. He was the president of CBS Television before entering public service. He served as the United States Ambassador to Portugal
from 1985 to 1986 and the United States Ambassador to the Holy See
from 1986 to 1989. He currently serves as an honorary member of the board of trustees for The Heritage Foundation
.
in 1946. He also served in the in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946.
He was later awarded honorary degrees in engineering from Colorado School of Mines
in 1975, in commercial science from Pace University
in 1979 and in law from Sacred Heart University
in 1985.
In 1981, President Ronald Reagan named him chairman of the Board for International Broadcasting, the entity which oversaw the operations of Radio Free Europe
. He held this position until 1985, when Reagan appointed him United States Ambassador to Portugal. The following year, in September 1986, Shakespeare was appointed United States Ambassador to the Holy See.
Since 1979 Shakespeare has been an honorary member of the board of trustees for The Heritage Foundation
, a Washington, D.C.
based public policy research institute. He also currently serves as a trustee of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
diplomat and media executive. He was the president of CBS Television before entering public service. He served as the United States Ambassador to Portugal
United States Ambassador to Portugal
This is a list of Ambassadors of the United States to Portugal.Bilateral diplomatic relations between the United States and Portugal date from the earliest years of the United States. Following the Revolutionary War, Portugal was the first neutral country to recognize the United States. On February...
from 1985 to 1986 and the United States Ambassador to the Holy See
United States Ambassador to the Holy See
A U.S. Ambassador serves as that country's official representative to the Holy See since formal diplomatic relations began in 1984. Before the establishment of official relations, Myron Taylor served during World War II as an emissary for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1951, President Harry S....
from 1986 to 1989. He currently serves as an honorary member of the board of trustees for The Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation is a conservative American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Heritage's stated mission is to "formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong...
.
Early life and education
Born to Francis and Frances (née Hughes) Shakespeare and raised in the Roman Catholic faith, Shakespeare graduated (B.S.) from Holy Cross CollegeHoly Cross College
Holy Cross College may refer to:*Holy Cross College , Bangladesh*Holy Cross College , in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States*Holy Cross College , Western Province, Sri Lanka*Holy Cross College...
in 1946. He also served in the in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946.
He was later awarded honorary degrees in engineering from Colorado School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines
The Colorado School of Mines is a small public teaching and research university devoted to engineering and applied science, with special expertise in the development and stewardship of the Earth's natural resources. Located in Golden, Colorado, CSM was ranked 29th, in America among national...
in 1975, in commercial science from Pace University
Pace University
Pace University is an American private, co-educational, and comprehensive multi-campus university in the New York metropolitan area with campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York.-Programs:...
in 1979 and in law from Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University is a Roman Catholic university located in suburban Fairfield, Connecticut, United States. Sacred Heart was founded in 1963 by the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Sacred Heart University was the first Catholic university in...
in 1985.
Career
Shakespeare was president of CBS Television in New York from 1950 to 1969 when he was appointed by President Richard Nixon as director of the United States Information Agency. He returned to the private sector in 1973, and became an executive vice president of Westinghouse in New York. In 1975, he became vice chairman of RKO General.In 1981, President Ronald Reagan named him chairman of the Board for International Broadcasting, the entity which oversaw the operations of Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a broadcaster funded by the U.S. Congress that provides news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East "where the free flow of information is either banned by government authorities or not fully developed"...
. He held this position until 1985, when Reagan appointed him United States Ambassador to Portugal. The following year, in September 1986, Shakespeare was appointed United States Ambassador to the Holy See.
Since 1979 Shakespeare has been an honorary member of the board of trustees for The Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation is a conservative American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Heritage's stated mission is to "formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong...
, a 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....
based public policy research institute. He also currently serves as a trustee of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.