Joseph Rudolph Grimes

Joseph Rudolph Grimes (October 311923 – September 7, 2007) was a leading politician in Liberia. A trained lawyer, he served as Secretary of state from 1960 to 1971.

Early life

Grimes was born on October 31 1923, to Louis Arthur Grimes and Victoria Grimes.cite news|url=http://www.liberiaitech.com/theperspective/2007/1019200703.html|title=The Life And Legacy Of Secretary Of State J. Rudolph Grimes|last=James|first=Abraham L.|date=October 19, 2007|work=The Perspective|accessdate=2008-09-02] He was educated at the College of West Africa (now Methodist University of Liberia) before graduating from Liberia College (now University of Liberia) with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Grimes then attended Harvard Law School in the United States where he earned a law degree, followed by a master's degree from Columbia University in New York City in international affairs.

Career

Following his education in America, he returned to Liberia where he founded the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the now University of Liberia. Named after his father, the younger Grimes served as the first dean starting in 1951.

In 1958, he was appointed as the Acting Secretary of State of Liberia. In 1960, he became the second foreign minister (Secretary of State) under President William Tubman. Serving until 1971, he is the longest serving foreign minister in Liberian history. He was preceded by Momolu Dukuly and was replaced by Rocheforte Lafayette Weeks.

Later years

Joseph Rudolph Grimes died on September 7, 2007, [ [http://www.liberianobserver.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/8340/J._Rudolph_Grimes_Is_Dead.html] "Liberian Observer"] in Guttenberg, New Jersey, at the age of 73.

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