Cyrus Roberts Vance (March 27, 1917 – January 12, 2002) was an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat.
Early life
Vance was born on March 27, 1917 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Vance studied at Kent School, Yale University, and at Yale Law School.
Career
Vance was United States Secretary of State under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1980. Before that, he was the Secretary of the Army and the Deputy Secretary of Defense.
As Secretary of State, Vance approached foreign policy with an emphasis on negotiation over conflict. He was very interested in arms reduction. In April 1980, Vance resigned in protest of Operation Eagle Claw, the secret mission to rescue American hostages in Iran. Edmund Muskie replaced him.
Personal life
Vance married Grace Elsie Sloane in 1947. They had four daughters and a son. Vance lived in New York City during his final years. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1995.
Death
Vance died at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City on January 12, 2002 of pneumonia. His death was a complication from Alzheimer's disease. He was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
References
Other websites
Oral History Interviews with Cyrus Vance , from the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library Cyrus R. Vance and Grace Sloane Vance Papers, 1957-1992, held at Yale University Library, Manuscripts & Archives
Interview on French TV: Cartes sur table, 31 March 1980 (40 minutes)