William Butts Macomber, Jr. (1921–2003) was an official in the United States Department of State and a United States diplomat who later became the first full-time president of the Museum of Modern Art.

Government career

Macomber joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1951. Two years later, he moved to the United States Department of State as a special assistant of intelligence.

In 1957, President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower nominated Macomber as Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs and Macomber held this office from October 21, 1957 until February 27, 1961.

President John F. Kennedy then named Macomber as United States Ambassador to Jordan and Macomber held this post from April 5, 1961 until December 25, 1963.

In 1964, he became assistant administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.

Macomber returned to the office of Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs after he was named to the office by President Lyndon B. Johnson, and Macomber served in this office from March 7, 1967 through October 2, 1969.

From 1969 to 1973, Richard Nixon named Macomber Deputy Under Secretary of State for Management.

Macomber then served as United States Ambassador to Turkey from 1973 to 1977. In 1975, he published a book, The Angels' Game: A Handbook of Modern Diplomacy. He retired from the United States Foreign Service in 1977.

Post-government life

In 1978, Macomber became the first full-time president of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As president, he oversaw implementation of the MMA's master plan developed under his predecessor C. Douglas Dillon. In 1983, he was among the founders of the American Academy of Diplomacy.

In retirement, Macomber taught social studies and coached football at Nantucket High School.

Death

Macomber died of complications related to Parkinson's disease at his home in Nantucket, Massachusetts on November 19, 2003.