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Woodrow Wilson Center Joins Nation in Mourning Death of Ambassador George F. Kennan

The Wilson Center's staff and scholars offer condolences to the family of George F. Kennan, (1904-2005), a historian and diplomat whose thinking redefined America's policy toward Russia during the Cold War.

WASHINGTON—The staff and scholars of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars join the nation in mourning the death of Ambassador George F. Kennan, a historian and diplomat instrumental in formulating U.S. foreign policy with Russia during the Cold War.

"We extend our deepest condolences to Annelise and the family," said Lee H. Hamilton, president and director of the Woodrow Wilson Center. "George Kennan enriched our country in innumerable ways over the past century. He was a leading public servant who exerted a remarkable influence over U.S. foreign policy at a critical moment in our history, and was a great figure in twentieth century American letters who contributed profoundly to international scholarship through the remarkable depth of his understanding of Russia. In the process, he found time to establish our now thriving institute—the Kennan Institute—which is named after his ancestor who was America's first Russia specialist. The Institute is committed to improving American expertise and knowledge about Russia, Ukraine, and other states in the region."

The Kennan family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Kennan Institute's George F. Kennan Fund. Donations should be sent to:

Attn: Susan Metts
Development Office
Woodrow Wilson Center
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004

Checks should be made out to the Kennan Institute, with "for the George F. Kennan Fund" included in the memo line.

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is the living, national memorial to President Wilson established by Congress in 1968 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Center establishes and maintains a neutral forum for free, open, and informed dialogue. It is a nonpartisan institution, supported by public and private funds and engaged in the study of national and world affairs. In addition to its office in Washington, the Kennan Institute operates centers in Moscow and Kyiv. The director of the Kennan Institute is Blair A. Ruble.

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Kennan Institute

The Kennan Institute is the premier US center for advanced research on Russia and Eurasia and the oldest and largest regional program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Kennan Institute is committed to improving American understanding of Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the surrounding region though research and exchange.  Read more