Eli Whitney Debevoise

Eli Whitney Debevoise (December 14, 1899 – June 30, 1990) was a New York lawyer who co-founded the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton and periodically served in a variety of high-profile government positions.

Early life Debevoise was born on December 14, 1899, in Manhattan, the son of Anne Farnam Whitney and Thomas McElrath Debevoise. He was named after his great-great grandfather, Eli Whitney, the inventor of the cotton gin.

He graduated from the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn., in 1917 and subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Army, eventually attaining the rank of second lieutenant.

During the early 1950s, Debevoise had many high-profile cases and served in many prominent public positions. From 1951 to 1953, Debevoise served as Deputy High Commissioner for Germany and was general counsel to the Allied Commission that administered Germany’s affairs in the years after World War II.

After returning to the United States, Debevoise rejoined Debevoise & Plimpton and engaged in a variety of public service and human rights activities. Notably, he was a founder of the International Commission of Jurists, one of the first global human rights organizations. Debevoise also served as chairman of Governor Nelson Rockefeller’s Committee to Review New York Laws and Procedures on Human Rights and helped craft the final report that was delivered in March 1968.

Debevoise retired at the age of 87 and died at his home in Manhattan on June 30, 1990.

The Archives and Special Collections at Amherst College holds some of his papers.