David Thorne (diplomat)

David Thorne
United States Ambassador to Italy
United States Ambassador to San Marino
In office
September 4, 2009 – July 30, 2013
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byRonald Spogli
Succeeded byJohn Phillips
Personal details
Born
David Hoadley Thorne

(1944-09-16) September 16, 1944 (age 80)
Children2
Relatives
Alma materYale University
Columbia University
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1966–1970
Battles/warsVietnam War

David Hoadley Thorne (born September 16, 1944)[1] is an American businessman and diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to Italy and Ambassador to San Marino from 2009 to 2013. He was nominated by President Barack Obama and sworn in on August 17, 2009.[2]

David Thorne's parents were Alice Smith (Barry) and Landon Ketchum Thorne Jr. David lived in Italy for a decade while his father helped administer the Marshall Plan.[2] David's twin sister Julia was the first wife of John Kerry.[1] Thorne graduated from Yale University in 1966 with a B.A. in American History, where he roomed with Kerry and both were members of Skull and Bones,[3]: 85  and then from Columbia University in 1971 with a master's degree in journalism.[4] He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, and worked in political consulting, real estate development, and publishing. He is married and has two grown children.[2]

  1. ^ a b Feeney, Mark (2006-04-28). "Julia Thorne, at 61; author, activist was ex-wife of Senator Kerry". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  2. ^ a b c Smith, James F. (2009-08-20). "Many hats, one perfect fit". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  3. ^ Robbins, Alexandra (2002). Secrets of the Tomb: Skull and Bones, the Ivy League, and the Hidden Paths of Power. Boston: Little, Brown. ISBN 0-316-72091-7.
  4. ^ United States Department of State