Kirkpatrick, Jeane Duane Jordan

Kirkpatrick, Jeane Duane Jordan Kirkpatrick, Jeane Duane Jordan kûrkpa ´trik, kûrpa ´â€" [key], 1926â€"2006, U.S. public official, b. Duncan, Okla. Originally a Democrat, she was professor of political science (1967â€"1980, 1986â€"2002) at Georgetown Univ. when President Reagan chose her (1981â€"85) to be the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations . There she gained a reputation for independent thought and pointed advocacy of U.S. positions, often criticizing the United Nations itself. Upon leaving the United Nations, she became a Republican and returned to teaching at Georgetown. She also served on several government commissions and was associated with the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative thinktank, from 1978 until her death. Among her books are Political Women (1974) and Dictatorships and Double Standards (1982). The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. See more Encyclopedia articles on: U.S. History: Bi ographies