Ogden Reid

For the newspaper publisher, see Ogden Mills Reid.

Ogden Reid
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from New York
In office
January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1975
Preceded byEdwin B. Dooley
Succeeded byRichard Ottinger
Constituency26th district (1963–1973)
24th district (1973–1975)
United States Ambassador to Israel
In office
July 2, 1959 – January 19, 1961
PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded byEdward B. Lawson
Succeeded byWalworth Barbour
Personal details
Born
Ogden Rogers Reid

(1925-06-24)June 24, 1925
New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 2, 2019(2019-03-02) (aged 93)
Waccabuc, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic (after 1972)
Other political
affiliations		Republican (before 1972)
Spouse
Mary Louise Stewart
​
(m. 1949)​
Parent(s)Helen Rogers Reid
Ogden Mills Reid
RelativesWhitie Reid (brother)
Whitelaw Reid (grandfather)
EducationThe Buckley School · Deerfield Academy
Alma materYale University
Reid sitting alongside Israeli prime minister David Ben Gurion. 1960, Boris Carmi, Meitar collection, National Library of Israel
Reid sitting alongside Israeli prime minister David Ben Gurion. 1960, Boris Carmi, Meitar collection, National Library of Israel

Ogden Rogers Reid (June 24, 1925 – March 2, 2019) was an American politician and diplomat. He was the U.S. Ambassador to Israel and a six-term United States Representative from Westchester County, New York, serving from 1963 to 1975.[1]

Early life

Reid was born in New York City, the son of publishers Helen Rogers Reid (1882–1970)[2] and Ogden Mills Reid (1882–1947),[3] and the brother of Whitey Reid (1913–2009)[4] and of Elisabeth Reid, who died in childhood.[5]

He was the grandson of diplomat and 1892 Republican vice presidential candidate Whitelaw Reid (1837–1912).[6] His family owned the New York Herald Tribune and before that the New York Tribune. His aunt, Jean Templeton Reid (1884–1962), was married to Sir John Hubert Ward (1870–1938), the son of William Ward, 1st Earl of Dudley.[7] His grandmother, Elisabeth Reid (née Mills) (1857–1931), and her brother, Ogden Mills (1856–1929), were the children of Darius Ogden Mills (1825–1910).[8]

He graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1943[9] and Yale University, where he was a member of Book and Snake, in 1949.[10] He was widely known by his nickname, "Brownie".

Career

Military service

Reid enlisted as a private in the United States Army in 1943 and was discharged as a first lieutenant in 1946. He later served as a captain in the United States Army Reserve.[1]

New York Herald Tribune

From 1955 until 1958, Reid served as publisher, president, and editor of the family paper, the New York Herald Tribune.[11][12] During his tenure, he brought puzzle contests and stories from Hollywood into the newspaper, but did little to help the paper's finances. John Hay Whitney bought the paper shortly thereafter in August 1958.[13]

From 1956 until 1959, Reid was a director of the Panama Canal Company.[14][15]

Political career

Ambassador to Israel

From 1959 to 1961, Reid was the United States Ambassador to Israel.[16][17][18][19] In this role, he interacted with Foreign Minister Golda Meir, who expressed Israel's opposition to a proposal to revive the Palestine Conciliation Commission in an attempt to solve the Arab refugee problem.[20] Following his return to the United States, he became a director of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1961.[21]

United States Congress

In 1962, Reid was elected to the Eighty-eighth Congress as a Republican. He was on the liberal fringe of the GOP and faced repeated challenges in primaries.[16][22]

In 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote to Rep. Reid thanking him for coming to Alabama and visiting Selma. King wrote that "Your very presence there has had an electric effect upon the voteless and beleaguered Negro citizens of this city, county, state and nation."[23]

One of the most liberal Republicans in the House of Representatives, Reid voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,[24] the Voting Rights Act of 1965,[25] the Civil Rights Act of 1968,[26] the Medicare program for the elderly,[27] the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968,[28] and was one of two Republican co-sponsors of the Kennedy-Griffiths universal healthcare bill in the House of Representatives in 1971, the other being Charles Adams Mosher of Ohio.[29]

On March 22, 1972, he switched parties and joined the Democratic Party.[30] Reid said that he could not support Richard Nixon for re-election and the Republican Party had "moved to the right" and was "not showing the compassion and sensitivity to meet the problems of the average American."[31][32] After switching parties he turned back a Republican challenge in 1972.[33][34] Then in 1974 at the end of that term Reid declined to seek re-election to the House.[1][35]

While in Congress, Reid sponsored 85 pieces of legislation and co-sponsored 99 pieces of legislation.[36]

Later career

In 1974, he briefly ran for Governor of New York, dropping out of the race before the election.[37][38] He later served in the administration of Democratic governor Hugh Carey as Commissioner of Environmental Conservation[39][40] and was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for the post of Westchester County Executive in 1983.[1][41]

His papers are held with the Manuscripts and Archives at the Sterling Memorial Library at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.[42]

Personal life

In July 1949,[10] Reid married Mary Louise Stewart (b. July 8, 1925),[43] a Barnard College[44] and Columbia University graduate who was the daughter of William Harold Stewart and Dorothy Miller.[8][45] She was a granddaughter of Roswell Miller (1843–1913), the former president of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and Mary Louise Roberts (1866–1955).[46] Her uncle, Roswell Miller Jr. (1894–1983) married Margaret Carnegie (1897–1990), the only daughter of Andrew Carnegie.[46] Together, the Reids had six children:[47]

  • Stewart Mills Reid, who married Vivian Green, the daughter of Paul Green, in 1973.[48][49]
  • Michael Whitelaw Reid, who married Anne Katherine Burrows, daughter of Kenneth G. Burrows, in 1984.[50][51]
  • William Rogers Reid, who married Elizabeth Garno, the daughter of Edmund Forsythe Garno Jr., in 2000.[52]
  • Elisabeth Reid (b. 1960),[11] who married Richard W. Taylor Jr., son of Richard W. Taylor, in 1981, now divorced and remarried in 2020 to Joseph E. Leo of New Canaan, Connecticut and Hiltonhead, South Carolina[53][54]
  • Ogden Reid (b. 1961)[47]
  • David Whitelaw Reid (b. 1967)[55]

During his youth Reid lived at Ophir Cottage, the home in Purchase, New York that was built by his grandfather, Whitelaw Reid.[45][56] He owned Flyway, a 430‐acre estate in North Carolina near the Virginia border that was worth $600,000 in 1974.[38] Reid was a member of the New York Athletic Club, the River Club and the Wings Club.[8]

Death

Reid died on March 2, 2019, at his home in Waccabuc, New York, at the age of 93.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "REID, Ogden Rogers – Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  2. ^ "MRS. OGDEN REID DIES HERE AT 87". The New York Times. July 28, 1970. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  3. ^ "OGDEN MILLS REID OF HERALD TRIBUNE DIES OF PNEUMONIA; Ogden Mills Reid Dies of Pneumonia". The New York Times. January 4, 1947. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  4. ^ "FOUNDATION TO AID STUDIES OVERSEAS; Fellowships to Newspaper Men and Women Offered Under Ogden Reid Legacy". The New York Times. March 1, 1948. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  5. ^ Mcfadden, Robert D. (April 19, 2009). "Whitelaw Reid, Heir to New York Herald Tribune, Dies at 95". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  6. ^ Times, Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to the New York (December 16, 1912). "WHITELAW REID DIES IN LONDON; Editor and Diplomat Passes Away at Dorchester House After Brief Illness". The New York Times. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  7. ^ "LADY WARD DEAD; AIDED CHARITIES; Daughter of Whitelaw Reid Was 78—Wed in Palace". The New York Times. May 3, 1962. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c "OGDEN REID TO WED MARY L. STEWART; Yale Senior, Son of Late Editor of Herald Tribune, to Marry Barnard Alumna in June". The New York Times. December 18, 1948. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  9. ^ "Boyden, Deerfield Headmaster 66 Years, Will Retire in June" (PDF). Fulton History. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "OGDEN REID WEDS MARY L. STEWART; Brick Presbyterian Church !s the Scene of Their Marriage ---Couple Attended by 17". The New York Times. July 10, 1949. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  11. ^ a b "Milestones, Feb. 29, 1960". Time. February 29, 1960. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  12. ^ a b Fried, Joseph P. (March 3, 2019). "Ogden R. Reid, Herald Tribune Editor and Congressman, Dies at 93". The New York Times. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  13. ^ Rockwell, John (June 3, 2014). The New York Times the Times of the Sixties: The Culture, Politics, and Personalities That Shaped the Decade. Black Dog & Leventhal. pp. 104–105. ISBN 9781579129644. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  14. ^ "Reid, Ogden R. (Ogden Rogers), 1925–". socialarchive.iath.virginia.edu. Ogden Rogers Reid papers, 1925–1982. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  15. ^ Contosta, David (2007). Rise to World Power: Selected Letters of Whitelaw Reid, 1895–1912: Transactions, APS. American Philosophical Society. p. 170. ISBN 9781422374467. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  16. ^ a b Blumenthal, Ralph (October 18, 1966). "Rep. Reid Is Favored Over 2 Opponents in 26th District". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  17. ^ "REID CONSIDERED AS ISRAEL ENVOY; Former Herald Tribune Head Reported Under Study REID CONSIDERED AS ISRAEL ENVOY". The New York Times. January 23, 1959. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  18. ^ Baker, Russell (May 13, 1959). "BATTLE OVER REID AS ENVOY IS BEGUN; Fulbright Tells Nominee That He Must Prove Ability -Long Assails Dillon". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  19. ^ "Ogden Reid to Leave for Israel As U.S. Ambassador Within Month". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. June 8, 1959. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  20. ^ "Opinion | 100, 75, 50 Years Ago | 1959 Israel Against '49 Commission". The New York Times. December 3, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  21. ^ "Insurer Names Ogden Reid". The New York Times. August 20, 1961. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  22. ^ Reid, Ogden R. (July 13, 1971). "Free Press, Free People". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  23. ^ "Letter from MLK to Congressman Ogden R. Reid" (February 19, 1965). King Center Archives. King Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  24. ^ "H.R. 7152. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION (H. RES. 789) PROVIDING FOR HOUSE APPROVAL OF THE BILL AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE".
  25. ^ "TO PASS H.R. 6400, THE 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACT".
  26. ^ "TO PASS H.R. 2516, A BILL TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES FOR INTERFERENCE WITH CIVIL RIGHTS. INTERFERENCE WITH A PERSON ENGAGED IN ONE OF THE 8 ACTIVITIES PROTECTED UNDER THIS BILL MUST BE RACIALLY MOTIVATED TO INCUR THE BILL'S PENALTIES".
  27. ^ "TO PASS H.R. 6675, A BILL TO PROVIDE A HOSPITAL INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR THE AGED UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT".
  28. ^ "TO AGREE TO CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 3497, THE HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1968".
  29. ^ Congressional Record, Proceedings and Debates of the 92nd Congress, First Session, January–December 1971
  30. ^ Truscott, Alan (April 24, 1974). "Bridge: Politics Makes Strange ...., But What About Tablemates?". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  31. ^ "Democrat Reid". The New York Times. March 22, 1972. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  32. ^ Madden, Richard L. (March 22, 1972). "Rep. Reid Quitting G.O.P.; Plans Race as a Democrat". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  33. ^ Lynn, Frank (March 23, 1972). "Reid Motes to Democratic Party To Seek Re‐election to Congress". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  34. ^ "Vergari to Oppose Reid". The New York Times. April 4, 1972. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  35. ^ "REID, Ogden Rogers". history.house.gov. US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  36. ^ Reid, Ogden R. "Ogden R. Reid". www.congress.gov. Congressional Record. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  37. ^ Ronan, Thomas P. (May 31, 1974). "Reid Halts His Campaign Amid Rumors of a Pullout". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  38. ^ a b Tolchin, Martin (February 21, 1974). "Reid, in a Detailed Disclosure, Puts Net Worth at $4.1‐Million". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  39. ^ Weisman, Steven R. (November 9, 1974). "Hugh Carey's Choice Patrick Joseph Cunningham". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  40. ^ Dorfman, Dan (March 15, 1976). "OGDEN REID'S POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST". New York. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  41. ^ Feron, James (August 7, 1983). "REID IN NEW THRUST IN EXECUTIVE RACE". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  42. ^ Dojka, John; Lesniak, Anna. "Guide to the Ogden Rogers Reid Papers". library.yale.edu/. Manuscripts and Archives | Sterling Memorial Library. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  43. ^ "Ogden Reid Jr". Life. July 25, 1949. p. 28. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  44. ^ Kahn, Annette (Summer 2015). "Building Barnard". Barnard College. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  45. ^ a b Jones, Nina (March 10, 1962). "Mary Louise Reid Thinks Honestly About the World" (PDF). The Herald Statesman. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  46. ^ a b "MISS MILLER WED TO WM. H. STEWART; Daughter of Mrs. Roswell Miller Married at Mother's Country Home". The New York Times. September 26, 1920. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  47. ^ a b "Mrs. Ogden Reid Has Son". The New York Times. November 18, 1961. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  48. ^ "Stewart Mills Reid Marries Vivian Green in the Suburbs". The New York Times. June 23, 1973. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  49. ^ Ames, Lynne (February 15, 1998). "The View From/Rye; Valentine Chocolate: Aphrodisiac for All". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  50. ^ "Anne Burrows and M. W. Reid to Wed". The New York Times. May 6, 1984. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  51. ^ "Katherine Reid, Matthew Vacca". The New York Times. June 1, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  52. ^ "WEDDINGS; Elizabeth Garno, William Reid". The New York Times. June 4, 2000. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  53. ^ "Elisabeth Reid to Be June Bride". The New York Times. February 8, 1981. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  54. ^ "Elisabeth Reid, R.W. Taylor Jr. Have Wedding". The New York Times. June 28, 1981. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  55. ^ "Son to the Ogden Reids". The New York Times. January 27, 1967. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  56. ^ Brown, Betsy (October 11, 1987). "In the Region:Westchester and Connecticut; 122 Houses Approved, at $1 Million Each". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by U.S. Ambassador to Israel
July 2, 1959 – January 19, 1961 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 26th congressional district
1963–1973 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 24th congressional district
1973–1975 		Succeeded by