John B. Lawson ’50

John died July 10, 2006, in Washington, D.C., from a noncancerous lung infection.

He was a literary editor of The Nassau Lit, and was a member of Whig-Clio and Key and Seal. John graduated with high honors in English and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Selected as a Rhodes Scholar, he studied at Oxford, where he received a bachelor’s in English (and later the M.A. Oxon.). He enlisted in the Air Force, served as an officer in Germany, and used his fluency in French as an aide-de-camp in Morocco. While in Morocco, he met Joan Corbin, a Bryn Mawr graduate who was teaching there.

John returned to Washington as a civilian in 1955. It can now be told that after brief stints in two jobs, he joined the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1960, Joan, who was also employed by the CIA and was about to be assigned to Morocco, accepted his marriage proposal. They always hoped to get back to Morocco after retirement, but never made it.

He and Joan enjoyed many wonderful times together, including glorious summers in Brittany after retirement. Though not a “reuner” by nature, John always had a deep affection for Princeton.

We extend our sympathy to Joan, and their children Anne and David.