Philip Merrill

Philip Merrill
Born	Template:Birth date
Died	June 10, 2006(2006-06-10) (aged 72)
Occupation(s)	Diplomat, publisher, banker, philanthropist
Known for	Chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (2002–2005)

Philip Merrill (April 28, 1934 – June 10, 2006) was an American figure known for his work as a diplomat, publisher, banker, and philanthropist.

Career

Originally named Philip Merrill Levine, he completed his education at Cornell University and Harvard Business School. During his time at Cornell, he served as managing editor of The Cornell Daily Sun and was inducted into the Quill and Dagger society. Merrill led Capital-Gazette Communications, Inc. as president and CEO. The company published Washingtonian magazine, the Annapolis newspaper Capital, along with five additional Maryland publications. Following his passing, his wife Eleanor assumed the role of chairman, while their daughter Catherine Merrill Williams became president and publisher of the Washingtonian. Subsequently, the firm was acquired by Landmark Communications.

Merrill held several influential governmental positions, including counselor to the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy from 1981 to 1983, membership on the Defense Policy Board during 1983–1990 and again from 2001–2003, and Assistant Secretary General for Defence Support at NATO Headquarters between 1990 and 1992 under President George H. W. Bush. Appointed by President George W. Bush, he chaired the Export-Import Bank of the United States from 2002 until 2005. He represented U.S. interests in negotiations involving the Law of the Sea Conference, International Telecommunication Union, and disarmament talks with the former Soviet Union. Merrill also led regional panels for White House Fellow Commissions and contributed to President George H. W. Bush’s Gulf War Air Power Survey as well as President Ronald Reagan’s Commission on Cost Control.

His longstanding trustee roles included service with the Aspen Institute, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Johns Hopkins University, and Cornell University. Merrill was chairman of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) and acted as U.S. Director for the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS). He also participated on boards such as the Department of Defense Business Board, University of Maryland Board of Visitors, Johns Hopkins SAIS board, Smithsonian National Museum of American History board, Foundation for the National Archives, and Advanced Physics Laboratories board.

In recognition of his service, Merrill was awarded the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award in 1988—the highest civilian accolade given by the Department of Defense—presented by Secretary Caspar Weinberger.

Philanthropy

Merrill contributed $7 million to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, enabling construction of the Phillip Merrill Center, which earned the distinction of being the first building in the U.S. to achieve LEED platinum certification.

In 2001, he donated $10 million to establish the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park. Two years later, in 2003, he provided $4 million to create the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), which is overseen by Eliot A. Cohen.

Additionally, Merrill funded Cornell University's Sailing Center, named in honor of the Merrill Family and officially dedicated in 2009.

Together with his wife Eleanor, he supported numerous organizations including the Aspen Institute, Ford's Theater, Shakespeare Theater, Meridian Center, Barker Adoption Foundation, and Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind. The annual Philip Merrill Award for Outstanding Contributions to Liberal Arts Education is presented by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.

Death

On June 10, 2006, Merrill went missing while sailing alone on the Chesapeake Bay. His body was recovered nine days afterward, and the medical examiner determined the cause of death to be suicide.

He left behind his wife, Eleanor, along with three children: Douglas Merrill, Catherine Merrill Williams, and Nancy Merrill, as well as four grandsons. Eleanor died in 2016 following a fall.