The Honorable Phelps Phelps | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic | |
| In office June 27, 1952 – May 30, 1953 | |
| President | Harry S. Truman; Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Preceded by | Ralph H. Ackerman |
| Succeeded by | William T. Pheiffer |
| Governor of American Samoa | |
| In office February 23, 1951 – June 20, 1952 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Darden |
| Succeeded by | John C. Elliott |
| Member of the New York Senate from the 13th district | |
| In office 1939–1942 | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 3rd District | |
| In office 1937–1938 | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 10th District | |
| In office 1924–1928 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Phelps von Rottenburg May 4, 1897 Bonn, German Empire (now Germany) |
| Died | June 10, 1981 (aged 84) Wildwood, New Jersey |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican; Democrat |
| Alma mater | Williams College; Fordham Law School |
| Occupation | Attorney and politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Rank |  Captain |
Phelps Phelps (May 4, 1897 – June 10, 1981), born Phelps von Rottenburg, was an American politician who held a number of offices in New York before becoming the governor of American Samoa and the United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Phelps' parents divorced in 1899 and he later took his mother's maiden name as his last name, even though it was already also his first name. He attended Yale University in 1916, but was dismissed for cheating; he eventually graduated from Williams College and then Fordham University Law School, becoming an attorney.
Phelps began his political career as Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs for New York City. From 1924 to 1928, he was a Republican member of the New York State Assembly. After the 1932 Republican National Convention, he became a Democrat, and acted as a delegate at a number of national conventions. He served another term in the State Assembly, and then in the New York State Senate. He also attended a New Jersey Constitutional Convention, hosted a long-running radio commentary show, and was a prolific writer of letters to the editor of major newspapers. Phelps served in the United States Army during World War II, achieving the rank of Captain. Immediately following the war, Phelps served on Douglas MacArthur's staff during the Japanese War Crimes Tribunal.
Upon his appointment as governor to American Samoa in 1951, Phelps became its first civilian governor. The United States Navy largely withdrew from the island with the last naval governor, leaving Phelps to restructure an economy previously centered on the military. He promoted the oil storage facilities on the island and attracted new airlines to Pago Pago International Airport in an attempt to make up lost revenue. His last overseas post was as Ambassador to the Dominican Republic under the rule of Rafael Trujillo. There, he had to negotiate land sales between the two governments and respond to citizen's anger when possible assassinations on United States soil were ordered by Trujillo. Phelps never married or owned property, preferring to wander between various hotels, and lived with four women throughout his life. Phelps died in Wildwood, New Jersey, and is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery.