Myron Melvin Cowen (January 25, 1898 – November 1, 1965) was an American lawyer and diplomat, who served as US Ambassador to Australia, Belgium and Philippines.[1]

Myron Cowen (standing, right), with U.S. President Harry S. Truman (seated, left) and Philippines President Elpidio Quirino (seated, right)

Biography edit

Cowen was born in Logan, Iowa. His father was Aaron Harry and mother was Dora T. Blala Cowen. Cowen studied in Wofford College of Spartanburg, S.C. from 1914–1915 and graduated from Drake University of Des Moines in 1918.[2] From 1919 to 1926, he practiced law in Des Moines. From 1926 to 1933, he was the commissioner for the US court of Appeals in Washington D.C, where he continued his legal practice from 1935 to 1948. He was appointed US Ambassador to Australia from 1948 to 1949 and afterwards served as US ambassador to Philippines from 1949 to 1952. He expected a less corrupt and capable government for Philippine and suggested a covert action to oust then Philippine president, Elpidio Quirino. From 1952 to 1953, he was US ambassador to Belgium. Until his death in Washington, D.C. he practiced law.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ Truman Library - Myron M. Cowen Papers
  2. ^ World Biography. Institute for Research in Biography. 1954. p. 235.
  3. ^ Shavit, David (1990). The United States in Asia: A Historical Dictionary. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 112. ISBN 9780313267888.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Australia
1948–1949
Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Ambassador to the Philippines
1949–1951
Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Belgium
1952–1953
Succeeded by