Edward Elliot Elson
Edward Elliot Elson | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 8, 1934 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Diplomat, businessman, academic |
| Known for | United States Ambassador to Denmark (1993–1998) |
Edward Elliot Elson (born March 8, 1934) held the position of United States Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Denmark between 1993 and 1998.
Early life
Elson was born in Norfolk, Virginia, where his father, Harry Elson, worked as a bookseller and distributed periodicals such as The Virginia Spectator. He pursued his education at Phillips Academy, continued at the University of Virginia, and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Emory University School of Law.
Career
Following his academic achievements, Elson assumed control of the family enterprise, innovating retail locations in venues like airports, hotels, and railway stations. His executive experience includes serving as chairman for Bank of Gordon County, Elson’s, Atlanta News Agency, Inc., W.H. Smith Holdings (USA), and The Majestic Wine Corp. Moreover, he contributed both as a faculty member and board participant at the University of Virginia.
Elson is recognized as a Charter Trustee of Phillips Academy, holds a directorship at Hampton Investments, has been Rector of the University of Virginia, was the founding Chairman of National Public Radio, and chaired the Jewish Publication Society.
He received his appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Denmark on November 22, 1993, officially presenting his credentials on January 18, 1994.
In the aftermath of the Soviet Union's dissolution, eight nations from Scandinavia and the Baltic region established the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) to facilitate support for Baltic transitions. During his tenure as Ambassador, Elson was instrumental in enhancing Nordic-Baltic cooperation and reinforcing U.S. strategic partnerships within this area.
His service as ambassador concluded on June 25, 1998.
Personal life
Edward married Suzanne "Susie" Wolf Goodman in 1957; she is the daughter of Charles Francis Goodman from Memphis, Tennessee. Susie’s education included the Lausanne School for Girls, Dana Hall School, and Randolph-Macon Women’s College. Her leadership roles have encompassed membership on the University System of Georgia board of regents, chairing the American Craft Council in New York, and presiding over Palm Beach's Society of the Four Arts. The couple has three children:
- Charles Myer Elson serves as director at the University of Delaware's John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance; he wed Aimee Fauntleroy Kemker in 1993.
- Louis Goodman Elson co-founded Palamon Capital Partners in 1999; he married Sarah Everett Lee in 1989.
- Harry Elson practices architecture; married Lisa Orange in 1998.
The family maintained a two-bedroom pied-à-terre located on Park Avenue near 58th Street in New York City.