Knox, Clinton E. (Clinton Everett), 1908-1980

Dates

• Existence: 1908 - 1980

Biographical Statement

Clinton E. Knox , first African American secretary to the United States Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and former United States Ambassador to the countries of Dahomey (Benin) and Haiti.

Clinton E. Knox was born May 5, 1908, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was the youngest five children born to Estella Briggs and William Knox. Knox attended the elementary and secondary schools of New Bedford, graduating from New Bedford High School in 1926. Knox received his A.B. degree in 1930 from Williams College and his M.A. degree from Brown University in 1931. Knox was as an instructor at Morgan State College teaching history and international relations (1931-1936; 1939-1943) and he attended Harvard University, where he received his Ph.D in European history in 1940. Knox was the Bayard-Cutting Fellow at Harvard (1938-1939).

Knox served in the United States Army during World War II (1943-1945) as a research analyst in the Office of Strategic Services. Following the war, he worked for the Department of the State (1945-1973), initially as a departmental officer. Knox became a member of the Foreign Service of the United States in 1954 and first served abroad in 1957 as the first African American secretary to the United States Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He held posts in France and Honduras.

Knox became the Ambassador to the West African Republic of Dahomey (now the country of Benin) serving in this capacity for five years (1964-1969). Following his work in Africa, Knox served as Ambassador of Haiti (1969-1973), under the regime of Francois (Papa Doc) Duvalier and later his son, Jean-Claude Duvalier. In 1973, while serving as Ambassador to Haiti, a group of individuals kidnapped Knox at gunpoint and demanded the release of 35 political prisoners and cash. After 17 hours of being held hostage, the kidnappers released Knox in exchange for 12 prisoners and $70,000.

Clinton Knox died on October 14, 1980, in Silver Springs, Maryland.

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