# Edward J. Perkins

> Career diplomat and 19th United States Ambassador to the United Nations (1928–2020)

**Wikidata**: [Q518323](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q518323)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_J._Perkins)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/edward-j-perkins

## Summary

Edward J. Perkins was born on June 8, 1928, in Sterlington[1][2][3] and died on November 7, 2020, in Washington, D.C.[4] He was a United States citizen who worked as a diplomat, professor, and literary editor[5][3]. Perkins was educated at Merrill High School, the University of Maryland Global Campus, and the University of Southern California[5][6], and was employed by Florida State University and the University of Oklahoma.Perkins held several high-level diplomatic positions, serving as United States Ambassador to South Africa from 1986 to 1989[7][5], Director General of the Foreign Service from 1989 to 1992[7][5], United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 1992 to 1993[7][5], and United States Ambassador to Australia from 1993 to 1996[7][5]. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, the American Academy of Diplomacy, the American Legion, and the American Political Science Association[3]. Perkins was buried at Arlington National Cemetery[8].


## References

1. [Source](https://www.academyofdiplomacy.org/member/edward-j-perkins/)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/perkins-edward-joseph)
4. [Edward J. Perkins, 92, Dies; First Black U.S. Envoy to South Africa. 2020](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/26/us/politics/edward-perkins-dead.html)
5. [Source](https://priceschool.usc.edu/remembering-edward-perkins-first-u-s-black-ambassador-to-south-africa-and-usc-price-alumnus/)
6. Find a Grave
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. SNAC
9. Munzinger Personen
10. [Source](https://isd.georgetown.edu/2020/11/10/statement-on-the-passing-of-ambassador-edward-perkins/)
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013