# Frederic Coudert Jr.

Frederic René Coudert Jr. (May 7, 1898 – May 21, 1972) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York from 1947 to 1959, and a member of the New York State Senate from 1939 to 1946. Prior to serving in Congress, he was best known for his role with New York's Rapp-Coudert Committee, which attempted to identify the extent of communist influence in the state of New York's public education system. The committee's inquiries led to the dismissal of more than 40 instructors and staff members at the City College of New York, actions the committee's critics regarded as a political "witch-hunt."

## Background

Coudert was born in New York City on May 7, 1898, the son of Frederic René Coudert, II (1871–1955) and Alice T. (Wilmerding) Coudert. He attended the Browning and Morristown Schools in New York City, then entered Harvard College in 1916, but when the US entered World War I, Coudert joined the Army. He served in France as a first lieutenant assigned to the 105th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 27th Division. In 1918, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College as part of a program that awarded degrees to military members through a combination of academic study and military service.
Coudert was discharged from the army in 1919 and began attending Columbia Law School. He received his LL.B. degree in 1922, was admitted to the bar in 1923, and commenced practice in New York City. He served as an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of New York in 1924 and 1925.

## Politics

Coudert was a member of The New York Young Republican Club. He was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for New York County District Attorney in 1929. He was a delegate to the Republican state conventions every two years from 1930 to 1948, and the Republican National Conventions every four years from 1936 to 1948.
From 1939 to 1946, Coudert was a member of the New York State Senate, sitting in the 162nd, 163rd, 164th and 165th New York State Legislatures.
He was elected as a Republican to the 80th, 81st, 82nd, 83rd, 84th and 85th United States Congresses, holding office from January 3, 1947, to January 3, 1959. Coudert voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

## Post-congressional career

He continued his practice of law in New York City, and was also a member of the State Commission on Governmental Operations of New York City from 1959 to 1961. Coudert was an outspoken conservative and endorsed William F. Buckley's 1965 Conservative campaign for the New York City mayoralty over liberal Republican Congressman John Lindsay.

## Retirement and death

He retired due to ill health, and died in New York City on May 21, 1972. He was buried at Memorial Cemetery in Cold Spring Harbor, New York.

## Awards

In 1941, Coudert received the Columbia University Medal for Distinguished Public Service. In addition, he was a recipient of the French Legion of Honor (Chevalier) to recognize his efforts on behalf of the French people, including serving as president of the federation of French Alliances In the United States.

## Family

In June 1923, Coudert married sculptor Mary Callery. The marriage ended in divorce in May 1931, and in October of that year he married Paula Murray. With his first wife, Coudert was the father of daughter Catherine. With his second, he was the father of son Frederic R. "Fritz" and daughter Paula.
Coudert was the great-grandson of Benjamin F. Tracy, who served as United States Secretary of the Navy from 1889 to 1893.