Harry E. T. Thayer
Encyclopedia
Harry E. T. Thayer was the sixth United States Ambassador to Singapore.
and graduated in 1951, and worked for Newsweek
from 1952 to 1954, followed by two years with the Philadelphia Bulletin
. He entered the State Department's service in 1956, and until 1971 worked in Hongkong, Taipei
, and China
. From 1971 to 1975 he was a member of the US Mission at the United Nations
, and then returned again to China, until 1980, when he was appointed ambassador to Singapore, succeeding Richard F. Kneip
, who resigned his post. In 1984 he was appointed to lead the American Institute in Taiwan
. His son, Nate Thayer
, became known as the journalist who interviewed Pol Pot
.
Biography
From 1945 to 1946, Thayer served in the US Navy. He attended Yale UniversityYale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
and graduated in 1951, and worked for Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
from 1952 to 1954, followed by two years with the Philadelphia Bulletin
Philadelphia Bulletin
For the 2004 resurrection of the Bulletin, see The Bulletin .The Philadelphia Bulletin was a daily evening newspaper published from 1847 to 1982 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was the largest circulation newspaper in Philadelphia for 76 years and was once the largest evening newspaper in the...
. He entered the State Department's service in 1956, and until 1971 worked in Hongkong, Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. From 1971 to 1975 he was a member of the US Mission at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, and then returned again to China, until 1980, when he was appointed ambassador to Singapore, succeeding Richard F. Kneip
Richard F. Kneip
Richard Francis "Dick" Kneip was the 25th Governor of the U.S. state of South Dakota from 1971 until 1978...
, who resigned his post. In 1984 he was appointed to lead the American Institute in Taiwan
American Institute in Taiwan
The American Institute in Taiwan is a non-profit, public corporation established under the auspices of the United States government to serve its interests in Taiwan...
. His son, Nate Thayer
Nate Thayer
Nate Thayer is a journalist who interviewed Pol Pot. He was the Cambodia correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review, a respected investigative publication that published from 1946 to 2009...
, became known as the journalist who interviewed Pol Pot
Pol Pot
Saloth Sar , better known as Pol Pot, , was a Cambodian Maoist revolutionary who led the Khmer Rouge from 1963 until his death in 1998. From 1976 to 1979, he served as the Prime Minister of Democratic Kampuchea....
.