Carl Joyce Gilbert (April 3, 1906 in Bloomfield, New Jersey – November 13, 1983 in Boston, Massachusetts)[1] was the United States Trade Representative from 1969 to 1971. Gilbert had previously been president and chairman of the board of the Gillette Safety Razor Co. He had "joined Gillette as treasurer in 1948 and served as vice president and president before also becoming board chairman",[2] and lead Gillette "from a domestic operation to one with worldwide branches -- making the name Gillette synonymous in many areas with razors".[2] In 1961, he headed the Committee for a National Trade Policy, opposing import quotas and other barriers to the free exchange of goods, and "led efforts to liberalize reciprocal trade agreements".[3]

Carl Gilbert
3rd United States Trade Representative
In office
August 6, 1969 – September 21, 1971
PresidentRichard Nixon
Preceded byWilliam M. Roth
Succeeded byWilliam Denman Eberle
Personal details
Born(1906-04-03)April 3, 1906
Bloomfield, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedNovember 13, 1983(1983-11-13) (aged 77)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationStanford University (BA)
Harvard University (LLB)

After his nomination to the Trade Representative post by President Richard Nixon in 1969, the Senate, concerned by Gilbert's earlier stance on trade, deliberated for two months before confirming his appointment.[4]

Gilbert was married to Helen Amory Homans (1913–1989), a granddaughter of John Quincy Adams II and descendant of US Presidents John Quincy Adams and John Adams.

At the time of his death, Gilbert was president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Saxon, Wolfgang (November 15, 1983). "Carl Joyce Gilbert, 77, Dies; Chief Trade Adviser to Nixon". The New York Times.
  2. ^ a b c United Press International (November 14, 1983), Domestic News.
  3. ^ "Deaths Elsewhere", The Washington Post (November 16, 1983), Metro, C12.
  4. ^ "GILBERT, Carl Joyce" [obituary], Facts on File World News Digest (December 9, 1983), p. 940 E2.
Political offices
Preceded by United States Trade Representative
1969–1971
Succeeded by