Ridgway B. Knight


Ridgway Brewster Knight was a French-born American diplomat who served as Ambassador to Syria, Belgium and Portugal.

Early life and career

The son of American parents living in Paris, he attended the University of Paris as well as Harvard University. He graduated from Harvard [Business School] in 1931.
Following his studies, Knight began importing French wine to the US. He also served as a Major in the US Army from 1943-1945.
Knight joined the State Department in 1941. He was vice consul in Casablanca, and in 1942 took part in organizing the US landing in Algeria. Knight served as U.S. ambassador to several countries, and later served as president of the American Club of Paris. From 1973 to 1981, he worked for Chase Manhattan Bank.

Personal life and death

Knight married Christine Saint-Léger at Inxent on February 19, 1983. His grandson, Ridgway B. Knight 3rd, married Patricia Wachtell on May 30, 1987. He died in Inxent, at the age of 90.