Meyer Robert Guggenheim (May 17, 1885 – November 16, 1959) was an American diplomat and a member of the prominent Guggenheim family.

Meyer Robert Guggenheim
United States Ambassador to Portugal
Preceded byCavendish W. Cannon
Succeeded byJames C. H. Bonbright
Personal details
Born(1885-05-17)May 17, 1885
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedNovember 16, 1959(1959-11-16) (aged 74)
Washington, D.C.
Parent
RelativesGuggenheim family
EducationColumbia University

Born in New York City, he was the son of Daniel Guggenheim (1856–1930), brother of Harry Frank Guggenheim, and nephew of Simon Guggenheim. In January 1938 he married his 4th wife Rebecca Pollard in Miami Beach on his yacht Firenze.[1] Pollard had finalized her divorce to William van Lennep a week earlier.[1] After Guggenheim's death she married John Logan.[2]

He attended Columbia College with the class of 1907, but left before graduation.[3][4] In 1909 he donated the trophy and prize money for the Ocean to Ocean Automobile Endurance Contest that coincided with the Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition.[5] As the contest was underway; he was arrested for speeding in New York City - a possible publicity stunt.[6]

He served with the United States Army during World War I. He was appointed United States Ambassador to Portugal, serving between 1953 and 1954.[7]

Guggenheim died in Washington, D.C., in 1959, aged 74, and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Milestones, Jan. 17, 1938". Time. 1938-01-17. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
  2. ^ "Rebecca P. Logan, 90, Art Patron and Hostess". The New York Times. 16 March 1994.
  3. ^ Who's who in Finance. Joseph & Sefton. 1911. p. 586.
  4. ^ The Columbian. Columbia University. 1905.
  5. ^ "M. Robert Guggenheim trophy, Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, Seattle, 1909". digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
  6. ^ "AUTO CUP DONOR ARRESTED.; M. Robert Guggenheim Held for Exceeding the Speed Limit". The New York Times. 1909-06-19. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
  7. ^ U.S. Department of State Office of the Historian: M. Robert Guggenheim
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by U.S. Ambassador to Portugal
1953–1954
Succeeded by