Clinchy, Everett R. (Everett Ross), 1896-

Everett R. Clinchy devoted a long career to fighting prejudice and promoting religious understanding, social justice, and the idea of world "brotherhood." Clinchy was a Presbyterian minister, with graduate degrees in religion from Columbia's Union Theological Seminary, social science from Yale, and education from Drew University. He was co-founder of the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1928. Formed to combat growing anti-Semitic and anti-catholic movements, the Conference promoted religious understanding and encouraged Protestants, Catholics, and Jews to work together for the common good. Clinchy served as its president from 1928 until 1958. He was also active in World Brotherhood (Fraternité Mondiale), which was formed in 1950 to promote religious, racial, national, and ethnic understanding and cooperation. In 1958, World Brotherhood was renamed the Council on World Tensions. Clinchy was appointed president and served in that post until 1965 when the Council ceased to operate. He then joined the faculty of the State University of New York at Albany as president of the Institute on Man and Science, which took over the work of the Council on World Tensions. The Institute sponsored forums, research, and demonstration projects on the relationship between science, technology and social problems. Clinchy continued to be a leader and active participant in numerous other organizations promoting justice, religious cooperation, and world understanding.