James Calhoun Humes | |
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Born | Williamsport, PA | October 31, 1934
Died | August 21, 2020 Philadelphia, PA | (aged 85)
Occupation | Writer, speechwriter |
Alma mater | Williams College (BA, 1957), George Washington University (LLB)[1] |
Genre | History, biography |
Spouse | Dianne Stuart (m. 1957) |
James C. Humes (31 October 1934 – 21 August 2020) was an author and former presidential speechwriter.[2]
Humes was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on 31 October, 1934[1] to Samuel and Elenor (née Graham) Humes.[3] At age 19 he attend the Stowe School on scholarship where he met Winston Churchill who advised him, “Young man, study history. In history lie all the secrets of statecraft.”[4] After graduation from Williams College he attended law school at George Washington University.[1] While still in law school he wrote speeches for then-President Dwight Eisenhower.[4] He served one term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 1963-1965 representing Lycoming county.[1]
Humes, along with William Safire and Pat Buchanan, is credited for authoring the text on the Apollo 11 lunar plaque.[5][6] Humes has written many books sharing his extensive knowledge of the modern history and political landscape.[4]