David Funderburk
David Funderburk | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 2nd district | |
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1997 | |
Preceded by | Tim Valentine |
Succeeded by | Bob Etheridge |
United States Ambassador to Romania | |
In office October 2, 1981 – May 13, 1985 | |
President | Ronald Reagan |
Preceded by | O. Rudolph Aggrey |
Succeeded by | Roger Kirk |
Personal details | |
Born | David Britton Funderburk April 28, 1944 Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Betty Funderburk |
Alma mater | Wake Forest University (BA, MA) University of South Carolina (PhD) |
David Britton Funderburk (born April 28, 1944) is an American politician and diplomat who served as the Ambassador of the United States to Romania from 1981 to 1985. He later served as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina for one term.
Early life and education
Funderburk was born at Langley Field in Hampton, Virginia as the son of a pastor and school teacher. He grew up in Aberdeen, North Carolina and attended Wake Forest University from 1962 to 1967, earning a B.A. and M.A. He received his Ph.D. in 1974 from the University of South Carolina, with a thesis titled "British policy towards Romania, 1938–1940: A Study in Economic and Political Strategy".
Career
Prior to entering politics, Funderburk worked as a professor of history. He initially taught at Wingate University and then later at the University of South Carolina, Hardin–Simmons University, and Campbell University. He was a Fulbright Scholar who later received Romania's highest award to a foreigner. The University of Bucharest and Campbell University gave him honorary doctorates.
In 1981, Funderburk was chosen as the U.S. Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Romania, and served until 1985. In Pinstripes and Reds, a book published in 1987, he described the process by which he was nominated and confirmed to be ambassador, as well as aspects of life in Romania during the administration of Nicolae Ceaușescu. In 1986, Funderburk ran for the U.S. Senate, but was defeated in the Republican primary by incumbent Jim Broyhill.
Funderburk became a professional lecturer and writer in 1988 and was elected as a Republican to the 104th Congress in 1994, coming in as a part of the Republican Revolution. Funderburk was the first Republican to represent his district since 1901.
Funderburk was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the 105th Congress. His defeat was largely blamed on a car accident in which he was involved. Witnesses claimed that he was driving but then switched seats with his wife.[1][2]
Books
- If the Blind Lead the Blind: The Scandal Regarding the Mis-teachings of Communism in American Universities Erwin, N.C.: Carolina Arts and Publishing House, 1978.
- British Policy Toward Romania, 1938–1940 N.p., 1983.
- Pinstripes and Reds: An American Ambassador Caught Between the State Department & the Romanian Communists, 1981–1985 Washington, D.C.: Selous Foundation Press, 1987. ISBN 0-944273-01-7
References
- ^ "Star-News - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved Mar 20, 2021.
- ^ Grann, David (Sep 28, 1998). "The Selling of the Scandal". Retrieved Mar 20, 2021 – via The New Republic.
External links
- United States Congress. "David Funderburk (id: F000426)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Articles with short description
- People appearing on C-SPAN
- AC with 0 elements
- 1944 births
- Living people
- Ambassadors of the United States to Romania
- Wake Forest University alumni
- University of South Carolina alumni
- Politicians from Hampton, Virginia
- Wingate University faculty
- University of South Carolina faculty
- Campbell University faculty
- Hardin-Simmons University faculty
- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina
- Baptists from Virginia
- People from Southern Pines, North Carolina
- Baptists from North Carolina
- 20th-century American diplomats