Brown, Keith Lynden, 1927-

Keith Lapham Brown, lawyer, businessman, and ambassador, was born in Sterling, Illinois, on June 18, 1925, to lawyer Lloyd Heman and Marguerite Briggs Brown.

After graduating from Sterling High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and spent three years training at the University of Illinois, the University of Texas, and Harvard University before serving in the Philippines. In 1949, Brown earned his LL.B. at the University of Texas Law School and started working for the law practice of Land, Byrd, Cross, & Ladon. After a short stint teaching law, he served as Vice President of Caulkins Oil Company, 1955-1970, and as president and chairman of the Brown Investment Corporation, 1970-present. Brown was appointed as U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho, 1982-1983, and as U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, 1989-1992. Brown has served as Director, Advisory Board member, Trustee, and Chairman to numerous organizations, including Vail Associates, Inc., which he co-founded in 1971. He has been an active member of the Republican Party for over forty years, including service as chairman of the Republican National Finance Committee and numerous campaign committees.

Brown married Carol Liebmann on October 1, 1949, and the couple had three children.