8 May 1998

Mr. Richardot delivered these materials to me this morning on the 38th floor. The main point is that he would like a quick photo to be taken of himself with the S-G, preferably on the day of the AFICS luncheon, 21 May, but any time if that date is not available. Also note that last year he received a thank you signed by S-G for his book about UN. He also would like to bring original watercolors with him for S-G's children. He can be reached in Concord, Mass., where he will speaking to Rotary Club, from 14-18 May at 978-369-8005. On evening of 19 May or daytime 20 May he can be reached at 203-966-3698. UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES

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S) H^c^ o IJLJLOL1 JEAN B. RICHARDOT 57 Oner side Court MAY - 8 1998 |F/ Middlebury.VT 05753 f~t s-> ,, 1 ^i I <°-=* I

Tel: 802-388-7410 CAC^U'!'. '- t'l-fr °F ^.--OL[HE SECRETA^RFMFPiii

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

16 June 1997

Dear Mr. Riohardot, I am writing to thank you for the copy of your book Journeys for a Better World, which your daughter gave me as a gift on the occasion of my visit to the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum earlier this month. It is an extraordinary work and one that does honour to the profession of international civil servant. By sharing.your experiences from the many years you devoted .to the United Nations, you have done a great service to your colleagues who continue to toil, often in difficult circumstances, with little recognition of the value of their efforts. Allow me also to express my appreciation to you and Mary for your support for the United Nations -- the spirit that continues to guide your work is an inspiration. I would be grateful if you would convey these sentiments to your daughter on my behalf. With my best wishes, Yours sincerely,

Kofi5 A. Annan

Mr. Jean Richardot Middlebury, Vermont ^w^ -** ^

BOOK SIGNING i" by Jean Rich ardot

author of Journeys for a Better World UnevieaPONU

An inside story of the United Nations by one of its first Senior Officials

Foreword by Sir Brian Urquhart

Friday 8 May 1998 1:00-3:00 pm

at the United Nations Bookshop

General Assembly Building Concourse Level •f i!

r^/,*»«r3fl>^/^^^^/'^«^/^.«»^ir^c»3^^2*»ff2«2»^ armattan Jean Richardot Edit ion -Diffusion 5-7, rue de L'Ecole-Polytecnnique 75005 Paris

Tel. 01 40 46 79 20 (comptoir et renaeigrtement libraire) Tel. 01 40 46 79 14 (manuscrits et fabrication) Tel. 01 40 46 79 22 (service de prtaae) Une vie a TONU Tel. 01 40 46 79 21 (direction commerciale) Fax 01 43 29 86 20 (manuscrits, fabrication) Un Franqais-Americain Fax 01 43 25 82 03 (commercial) Citoyen du monde

Preface de Sir Brian Urquhart

A travers ses memoires, 1'auteur eclaire un parcours d'abord relativement commun a sa generation puis assez exceptionnel. Soldat de la Deuxieme Guerre mondiale, il a servi successivement sous les drapeaux fran9ais et americain du fait de sa double nationalite. C'est le drame europeen qui 1'a conduit, apres 1945, a s'engager dans la bataille des Nations Unies pour la paix. Historien de I'interieur du Palais de verre, serviteur de la cause de la paix et du developpement a travers le deroulement de six missions de longue duree dans le Tiers monde, dans des pays en proie aux ideologies et/ou dictatures variees : Maroc, Hai'ti, Ouganda, Chypre, Jamai'que, Benin. Lorsque sonne 1'heure de la retraite, un nouvel ordre mondial pointe a 1' horizon.

L'auteur montre le role essentiel que les Nations Unies, reformees, pourront et devront jouer dans notre monde de demain.

Jean Richardot est ne a , de famille alsacienne etfranc-contoise. Principale carriers au Secretariat general de I'ONU, a New York, avec missions dans le 180 Francs Tiers monde ; a appartenu a I'UNESCO, an BIT, a la commission economique des Nations 340 pages Unies pour I 'Amerique latine, a Santiago du Chili et a la force des Nations Unies pour le maintien de la paix a Chypre ; a ete aussi ISBN 2-7384-5228-0 Visiting Professor a Middlebury College, au Vermont (USA).

CCP2362544N Paris. RC 75 B 3599. StRENE 311023121. SlRET Table

Preface de Sir Brian Urquhart v Introduction xiii Prologue xix

Partie I La guerre qui finit toutes les guerres et une paix fragile 1 Partie II La deuxieme guerre mondiale sous deux drapeaux 39 Partie HI L'ONU a Turtle Bay 109 Partie IV Six missions dans le Tiers monde : 169 • Le Maroc : compter d'abord sursoi 175 • Haiti : mission impossible ? Histoire tragique d'un pays d iv ise 196 • L'Ouganda : La «perle de l'Afrique», avant et apres Idi Amin 227 • Chypre : avec les Casques Bleus 252 • LaJamaVque: «Out of many, one people» 265 • Le Benin : du neo-colonialisme au marxisme-leninisme 289

Reflexion sur 1'aide au Tiers monde 310

Partie V A 1'aube d'une ere nouvelle 313

Epilogue 331

Appendices 333 Appendice I: Le systeme des Nations Unies : organes, Agences specialises et programmes speciaux 335 Appendice II: L'ONU a 50 ans : domaines de realisations incontestables 337 Appendice III: Citations celebres en favour de la paix 339

Cartes Premiere guerre mondiale : la ligne des tranchees 2 Deuxieme guerre mondiale : la route de la 4e division blindee du general Patton pendant la liberation de la France 40 Le Maroc, Haiti et I'Ouganda 170 Chypre, la JamaTqueet le Benin 171

BON DE COMMANDE A retourner a L' HARhtATTAN, 7 rue de I'Ecole Polytechnique 75005 PARIS

Veuillez me faire parvenir exemplaire(s) du livre Une vie a I'ONU au prix de 180FF+24FF de frais de port, soil un total de FF.

NOM :

ADRESSE :

Ci-joint un cheque de FF Pour Tetranger, vos reglements sont a effectuer: - en francs francais sur cheques domicilies sur banque francaise. - par virement en francs francais sur notre CCP 23 62544 N Paris - par carte bancaire (Visa ou Mastercard) n° ." date d'expiration •' Jean Richardot A watercolor and oil painter, JeanJUchardot works in the tradition of the Impressionists, trying to capture the mood, light, and aerial perspective of his subjects. He uses soft and subtle colors and has painted scenes of the places where he has lived and worked, including New England, the West Indies, and France. A former international diplomat turned artist, Jean Richardot has travelled in many parts of the world on as- signments for the United Nations and also the Department of State. He was born in New York but was raised and educated in France. After painting on and off since the fifties and brief- ly studying portraiture at night with Sidney Dickinson at the Art Students League in New York, he turned to serious painting some seven years ago. He studied in Paris with Mac Avoy, an internationally known portraitist, now the presi- dent of the Salon d'Automme, and with Yves Brayer, a land- scape painter much in vogue at the present time. He has also worked with Walter Richards of New Canaan, Connec- ticut and has participated in various workshops in Vermont with Jack Pellew; in Cornwall, England with Bernard Evans,- and at the Atelier de Seguret, Provence, France, a meeting of international painters. . Jean Richardot is a member of Middlebury Artists, Inc., and the Friends of Art at Middlebury College in Vermont of which he is a Board member. He also belongs to the Soci- ety for the Arts of New Canaan, Connecticut, exhibiting in group shows at the Carriage Barn. He has had several solo exhibits in Vermont and his works have been shown with the Nauset Painters in Orleans on Cape Cod as well as at the Annual International Art Show of UNICEF at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Mr. Richardot's paintings are being purchased more and more by art lovers. His free-flowing style has been compared by some to that of Raoul Duf iy. The work of Jean's uncle Lucien Bleyfus (1876-1953), a noted French postimpression- ist landscape painter, has also inspired him towards start- ing a new career in painting. In the words of Tom Maher in the magazine Profiles — 'Jean Richardot has returned to the work that first drew his interest and is happily pur- suing it with fervor and success." e's (Emuri of % ; (ftmnrig af jNefa

SURROGATES' CHAMBERS 31 CHAMBERS STREET NEW YORK, NY 1OOO7

RENEE R. ROTH SURROGATE May 7, 1998

Hon. Kofi Anan Secretary General c/o Elisabeth Lindenmayer United Nations Room S-3802-E New York, NY 10017

Dear Kofi: After almost 30 years it was, indeed, a delight to see you again at Bella's memorial service. I am pleased that I pursued you and verified that my memory has not failed. I enclose a brochure which describes my court and contains some photographs of this extraordinary landmark building. It is well worth a visit - you get to see me and the court - or you can show me your august offices. In either event, I would love to exchange stories about the years since we last saw each other. As you reminded me, I am not very conscientious when it comes to writing letters, which is why it has taken me two weeks to write. I look forward to hearing from you. Best Regards,

Renee R. Roth

Hon. Marie M. Lambert Hon. Renee R. Roth Surrogate Surrogate

J. he New York County Surrogate's Courthouse is unique in its interior and exterior architectural beauty. It is a building that serves as the home of one of the most respected courts in the nation, dealing mainly with the estates of deceased persons. All who pass through the Chambers Street entranceway of the building and view the splendor of the North and South Court Rooms are instilled with the majestic beauty of the Courthouse. on. Marie M. Lambert Judge Marie M. Lambert has been Judge of She was Chairman of the Association's Basic Estates Pro- the Surrogate's Court, New York County, since 1978. She gram, a lecturer at the Trial Lawyers Academy and an graduated with honors from Brooklyn College and New Editor of the Trial Lawyers Quarterly She is the Supervis- York University School of Law On graduation from law ing Judge of the Surrogate's Court of New York County, a school she received the University prize for the highest member of the Executive Committee of The Surrogates' three-year average and the Alumnae Club prize for the Association, a Vice President of the New York State outstanding woman graduate. She was a member and Women Judge's Association and a director of many legal Editor of Law Review Prior to her election as the first associations throughout the country woman Surrogate in the State of NewYorkJudge Lambert was actively engaged in the practice of law, having done Judge Lambert is a co-author of a book en- extensive trial work in all courts. titled, "You May Be Losing Your Inheritance." She is a Director of Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law of From 1974 to 1976 Judge Lambert served as Yeshiva University and has been a recipient of numerous President of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. legal and civic honors. on. Renee R. Roth Judge Renee R Roth has been Judge of the Alumni Association. She formulated the New York Surrogate's Court, New York County, since 1983. She is a County Lawyers' Association course on Wills, Estate graduate of The City College of New York and Fordham Administration and Surrogate's Court Practice and has University School of Law, where she was awarded the served as its chairperson since 1976. She is a member of "Trusts and Estates" prize. Prior to her election as Sur- the Executive Committee of The Surrogates' Association; rogate, Judge Roth served for more than a decade as a the New York Task Force on Permanency Planning for Law Assistant-Referee in the Surrogate's Court of Kings Children; and numerous professional and community County associations. She is a Trustee of the Brooklyn Law Library

Judge Roth is an Adjunct Professor of Law at From 1976 until her election as Surrogate, Fordham University School of Law; where she teaches a Judge Roth was the author of a monthly column con- course in Estate and Administration. In 1977 she was the cerning wills, estates and Surrogate's practice, which first woman ro be elected as President of the City College appeared in the New York Law Journal. The Surrogate's Court of the State of New York, County of New York, a most

active court, is the only one in the State in which two Surrogates preside. The court has jurisdiction over the estates of persons who died domiciled within the county or outside the State with assets within the county The court is based in the financial center of the world and its decisions have been cited throughout our nation. The earliest form of the Surrogate's Court ex- The Duke of York, later James II, commissioned isted under the rule of Holland. In 1640 a charter was Richard Nicoll to conquer New Netherlands, which adopted by the College of Nineteen, representing he accomplished on September 8, 1664. Nicoll be- five chambers of the Dutch West India Company and came Governor and, with the help of his Secretary the States General of Holland. This charter ordained , drafted the Duke of York's Laws of that the Governor and Council of New Netherlands 1665, which combined certain Dutch usages with the

should act as an Orphan's and Surrogate's Court. common law and confirmed the prior jurisdiction by The Court of Burgomasters and Schepens and later smooth transition. the Court of Orphans Masters were created after an Indian massacre dramatically increased the number The early practice was for a constable and two of widows and orphans. Initially two burgomasters overseers to proceed to the house of a deceased presided and later orphans masters were appointed person, 48 hours after death. They would inquire annually. about a will and the estate, prepare an inventory, appraise values and make a return to the Mayor's The first deputy to make use of the title of sur- Court in New York (elsewhere to the Court of Ses- rogate was John Bridges in 1702. Delegates were sions). If the estate exceeded £100, all proceedings appointed for the remote parts of the State, although were to be transmitted to the office of the secretary of not in all counties until 1787. Jurisdiction was vested the province in New York, where it was required that in the Prerogative Court. Executors and administra- the decedent's will be recorded. tors accounted before it and decrees upon final dis- tribution were made by it. Administrative duties, performed by the delegates, were confirmed by the Thus Liber l.pagelof the Court records .contains Prerogative Court. No minutes were kept of this court the will of Mary Gardiner, the widow of Lyon Gar- and its entire business for 70 years was managed by diner. Her will, dated April 19,1664, was signed with the secretary of the province and his deputy Circa her "X" and disposed of, among other things, "my 1746 the delegates assumed the title of surrogate. Horse Kinde on the Island." The will was admitted to "probation" by the Court of Sessions in Southol'd, administration as executor was granted to her son David Gardiner and the will was recorded in New The Early American Period York by Matthias Nicoll, Secretary, on Oct. 5,1665. The Prerogative Courts were abolished and the Court of Probates was recognized in the first New The beginning of what was to be known as the York State Constitution of 1777. The ecclesiastical Prerogative Court was in 1686, when Governor Don- jurisdiction of the surrogates exercised under the gan received instructions that ecclesiastical jurisdic- Crown was continued by the Laws of 1778. The Laws tion should take place in the province. The governor of 1787 placed the jurisdiction of the surrogates on a and his secretary as delegate were to take proof of statutory basis with the authority to grant letters testa- wills, inventory and appraisement. A distinct depart- mentary and letters of administration. In 1823 the ment, the Prerogative Court, was established in the Court of Probates was abolished and its powers trans- secretary's office. After 1686 the British Privy Council ferred to the Surrogate's Court. Devises of real prop- upheld the claim of the governor's secretary that he erty were permitted to be proved in Surrogate's or his deputy were to hold office as register of the Court by the Revised Statutes of 1830. The Constitu- Prerogative Court of New York and be the principal tional Convention of 1867 provided for legislative surrogate of the province. In 1692 the Legislative power to create a separate surrogate in every county Assembly confirmed this grant of authority with a population of more than 40,000.

Judge Lambert's Chambers

istration of estates and actions and proceedings The Modern Period arising thereunder or pertaining thereto, guard- ianship of the property of minors, and such other actions and proceedings, not within the exclusive The Surrogate's Court became a constitutional jurisdiction of the supreme court, as may be court under the 1894 New York State Constitution. provided by law. Its jurisdiction was gradually widened and further e. The surrogate's court shall exercise such extended by adoption of recommendations of the equity jurisdiction as may be provided by law. 1912 Revision Committee of the New York State f. The provisions of this section shall in no Surrogates' Association and the Foley Commission way limit or impair the jurisdiction of the su- which functioned from 1927 to 1933 and concerned preme court as set forth in section seven of this itself to a review of substantive law article. Pursuant to section 179 of the Judiciary Law, The two centuries of development of the Surro- gate's Courts and of its jurisdiction is now embodied "The surrogate's court of New York county in Article 6, Section 12 of the New York State Consti- shall consist of two surrogates." tution, effective September, 1962:

a. The surrogate's court is continued in each In the 1960's the Bennett Commission, com- county in the state. There shall be at least one posed of members of the judiciary, legislature and judge of the surrogate's court as may be provided bar, worked towards the modernization, revision by law. and simplification of the law of estates and practice b. The judges of the surrogate's court shall be administered by the surrogate's courts. From its residents of the county and shall be chosen by the efforts were produced and enacted many laws deal- electors of the county. ing with estates and related matters, and practice c. The terms of the judges of the surrogate's and procedure in the Surrogate's Courts. Its con- court in the city of New York shall be fourteen elusory achievement was attained in 1966, when the years, and in other counties ten years, from and Legislature enacted the Estates, Powers and Trusts including the first day of January next after their Law and the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act. election. d. The surrogate's court shall have jurisdic- tion over all actions and proceedings relating to In 1980, the Legislature granted jurisdiction the affairs of decedents, probate of wills, admin- over lifetime trusts to the surrogate's courts. Judge Roth's Chambers The work of the Court consists, in the main, in the administration and finalization of the estates of deceased persons. In doing so, it must of course determine the rights of the living therein. The Sur- rogates supervise the various departments of the Court: Probate, Administration, Adoption, Guardian- ship, Tax, Law, Miscellaneous and Accounting. he Court Since 1893, when provision was made for a second Surrogate of the Court, the practice has been for one Surrogate to preside in trial term for a UTLU US WOTk The two judges of the month, while the other sits in a motion term (Cham- Surrogate's Court of the County of New York are bers). Among the most active court of its kind in the each elected by the voters of the county for a term of country, the Surrogates are called upon to deter- fourteen years. The term expires at such time or mine the rights of widows and divorced or sepa- sooner, when the Surrogate attains the age of 70 rated spouses, as well as the rights of spouses under years. A judge of the Surrogate's Court is commonly common law marriages. Many determinations are referred to as "Surrogate." made by the Surrogates concerning the rights of children, adopted, non-marital and step-children. The Surrogates preside over more than sixty The Surrogates, after hearing the proofs offered by different proceedings which may be instituted in the the parties, have the power to declare an alleged Court or transferred to the Court because of its decedent to be dead or to grant letters on an absen- expertise in matters dealing with the estates of de- tee's estate. After a constitutionally-mandated trial, ceased persons. The Surrogates are called upon to the Surrogates with or without a jury determine the preside over jury and non-jury trials involving mat- capacity of a person to make a will. The Surrogates ters of many notable persons, as well as over thou- appoint administrators, executors, trustees and sands of decedent's estates. The Surrogates are guardians. They are called upon to construe skilled in all phases of the law, for when a person obscure or ambiguous provisions in wills and exam- dies, all legal matters which could have arisen in his ine the accounts of legal representatives, determine or her lifetime may become a matter of judicious whether a business of a decedent should be con- decision by the Surrogate. tinued and, in certain cases, grant permission for the 10 Main Hall sale of a decedent's personal or real property Often prison for debtors, a committee of the Common they must pass upon the reasonableness of compro- Council selected it then to house public records, mise agreements and grant fiduciaries the right to seven years after the creation of the Surrogate's Court settle a wrongful death action and provide for the as such. The $15,000 cost of remodeling resulted in disbursing of its proceeds. The Surrogates also ap- the removal of the cupola and roof and its dormer prove the adoption of children and, sometimes, of windows, the substitution of a flat roof and the origi- adult persons and award the guardianship of minors nal three stories being transformed into two stories. or mentally retarded persons to proper individuals. The rough stone exterior was smoothed over with In appropriate circumstances the Surrogates may stucco, a Grecian portico with steps was added at appoint conservators and settle lifetime trusts. each end, lengthening the building by about 17 feet. The intent was to create the classic beauty of the Doric Temple of Diana of the Ephesians, one of the seven wonders of the world. Although the news- papers of the time praised the Hall of Records as the he Locations most perfect and chaste piece of architecture in the city the 1907 Architects' and Builders' magazine la- 0] trie (^OUrt The first American beled it "an architectural nondescript." It stood near court, the Court of Probates, established in the 1777 where Horace Greeley now meditates in City Hall New York State Constitution, was located in City Hall. Park. By 1902, the building proved so unsafe from fire Its powers were transferred to the Surrogate's Court that it was razed. The Register's Office and its records in 1823 and the court was later moved to the New were moved to the Morton Building at 116 Nassau York County Courthouse on Chambers Street, north Street until the present building was completed. of City Hall. It had several rooms on the ground floor and two courtrooms, one of which faced City Hall to the south and was described as a "small chapel." The Present Building

As the work of the Surrogate's Court developed, Construction commenced on the present build- so did its records and the need for a repository At first ing in 1899, with a view towards a far different con- they were kept in City Hall, where the court itself was struction from the old Hall of Records.. The same located. The original Hall of Records was built in Architects' and Builders' Magazine that had scorned approximately 1756 and used by the British as a the old building described the new Hall of Records as prison for disloyal citizens. Used until 1830 as a city "New York's Most Beautiful Building."

12 John R. Thomas, an architect well-known for designing churches, reformatories and the Squadron A armory at Madison Avenue and 94th Street, had won a competition to design a new City Hall. When his project was abandoned after public protest, he received a commission to design the new Hall of Records. However, at his death in August, 1901, only the foundations had been laid. The corner stone, laid four months before his death in April, 1901, contains a Bible, a copy of the Code of Civil Procedure, contem- porary newspapers, magazines and a bar association report. The original construction bid of $2,250,000 Architecture The Landmarks Pre- ended in a total cost of $7,836,146. While certain city servation Commission has described the New York officials moved in in 1906, the firm of Horgan & County Surrogate's Courthouse as follows: Slattery did not conclude final construction until 1911. "The Surrogate's Court was designed in the In 1962 the name of the building was changed to French Classic Eclectic Style and is a fine example of the New York County Surrogate's Courthouse. Its civic architecture at the turn of the Century Represen- exterior was registered as a landmark in 1966 and the tative of a period when the Municipality of New York interior in 1976. felt itself coming of age, this imposing building with its towering Mansard roof typifies what was then considered the best in architecture. Both within and without, it was intended to set an example and to elevate standards of design and construction throughout the City

"This building displays rich materials, elaborate details, carving and sculpture. Here was shown an awakening interest in the fine arts, as applied to buildings, which was destined to have far reaching effects not only on civic structures but on mercantile and commercial buildings as well."

13 1784-1789 (right hand on hip, cane The Chambers Street in left). Entrance Attic roof statues, just below the "towering" slated Mansard The Chambers Street en- roof, by Henry Kirke Bush-Brown trance is through three doorways- represent Childhood, Philosophy, doors with bronze grilles, sur- Poetry, Maternity and Heritage. mounted by arched pediments Sculptures also adorn the Centre and flanked by two sculptural and Reade Street facades. groups. Designed by Philip Mar- tiny the sculptural groups portray- Entering the Chambers Street New York in Revolutionary Times foyer, the casual visitor scurries (with a soldier in Revolutionary usually unknowingly under a mag- uniform and a young woman), and nificent arched mosaic ceiling cre- New York in its Infancy (with a ated by William deLeftwich pilgrim and an Indian). Rising Dodge, with sculptural groups by above the entrance are stately Albert S. Weinert. On one side is three-story-high colonnades, and depicted the Purchase of Manhat- above the chief cornice are eight granite statues, also tan Island; on the other the Consolidation of New by Philip Martiny. They depict David Pietersen de York; with appropriate frescos, "Searching the Rec- Vries, Staten Island settler in 1640 (holds hat and ords" and "Widows and Orphans Calling on the Law" gloves in hands); Caleb Heathcote, Mayor of New The walls, here and throughout the interior on the York 1711-1714 (clerical garb); De Witt Clinton, Mayor first and second floors, are faced with rusticated of New York 1809-1815 and Governor 1823-1828 yellow Siena marble, highly polished and a mellow- (overcoat hanging from shoulder); Abram S. Hewitt, gold in color, imparting an exceptional effect of Mayor of New York 1887-1888 (feet apart, roll in left warmth and opulence. hand); , Mayor of New York 1825-1826 (pen in right hand, scroll in left); Peter Stuyvesant, The breathtaking main hall, rising three stories General Director of the Netherlands and Mayor of high under a glass-roof rectangular interior court- New York 1647-1664 (wooden leg); Cadwallader D. yard, has a large stately staircase to the west, which is Golden, Mayor of New York 1818-1821 (colonial an adaptation from the imposing foyer of the Grand dress); and , Mayor of New York Opera House in Paris. 14 Judge Lambert's Courtroom

moldings surround the fireplace. The centrally-placed he Courtrooms The pride judge's bench is enhanced by classical carving. Behind and glory of the Surrogate's Court building are the the judge's chair is a freestanding pedimentedpanel with two courtrooms on the fifth floor. As described in the carved figure of enthroned Justice holding a book on opulent detail by the Landmarks Preservation Com- her lap. The inscription 'Sap.' (an abbreviation of the mission in its Designation Report, May 11,1976, Num- Latin word far Wisdom) and an hourglass, representing ber 2 LP. 0926: time, flank her head. A wrought-iron and brass railing leads to the bench from the judge's chambers." "The South Court Room (adjoining the Chambers of Surrogate Marie M. Lambert) finished in rich Santo Do- "The North Court Room (adjoining the Chambers of mingo mahogany, has an almost somber, yet dignified air. Surrogate Renee R. Roth) has tawny quarter-sawn English A staircase at each end of the room leads to the gallery. oak paneling. Eared enframements surrounding the The tall windows and end doors are surmounted by doors and windows support a shallow cornice. The door arched pediments with torch-embellished cartouches panels are adorned with lions' heads above shields dis- flanked by acanthus scrolls. The broken arched pedi- playing the scales of justice and the word 'LEX.' The wall ments surmounting the hall doors have shields bearing panels are flanked by engaged fluted pilasters supporting the City Seal held by female figures. On the door panels a Doric frieze oftriglyphs and metopes with a series of are large cartouches carved with scales of justice. An six repeating motifs in alternation with a convex elaborate entablature at the ceiling is decorated with disk. The six motifs include boukrania, scales of justice, eagles, books and shields which alternate with vertical staffs of Mercury with cornucopia, military standards, scrolled and garlanded brackets. ancient weapons, and tablets with staffs. Large wood panels elaborately carved in low relief present allegories Mask panels accent the entablature below the gal- inscribed 'Wisdom', 'Truth', 'Civilization', and 'Degrada- lery. The ceiling is divided into panels by Greek-fret bor- tion' in emblematic compositions... The gallery over- ders-a detail repeated in the floor pattern and in gilt on looking the room, is entered from a fifth floor mezzanine. the plaster above the wall paneling. Classical foliate Panels, set in the gallery balustrade above the main en- bronzed ornament executed in high relief adds further trance doors from the corridor, are carved in low relief interest to the ceiling. Graceful crystal chandeliers with with boukrania and garlands flanked by cornucopias. A cut glass pendants light the room. The striking red Nu- gilt stylized foliate border adorn the plaster wall above midian marble fireplaces at each end of the room are in the paneling above which the entablature at the ceiling themselves elaborate classical compositions. A pedi- has garlands set betiveen vertical console brackets in the mented over-mantel, flanked by stylized composite pilas- frieze. The paneled ceiling is decorated with intricate ters, incorporates a winged blindfolded head of justice gilded ornament in high relief, surrounded by rich bor- above a wreath-enframed shield. Elaborate classical ders of garlands. Symbols of warfare are included in the

Judge Roth's Courtroom 17 ceiling, continuing the military theme which character- izes the entire courtroom. The handsome chandeliers are like those in the South Court Room. The great fireplaces of pale olive green Boston marble have overmantels with Surrogate Marie M. Lambert and Surrogate broken arched pediments featuring circular escutcheons. Renee R. Roth gratefully acknowledge the assistance The mantel shelf supported on heavy console brackets is of Joseph T. Arenson, Philip Bekerman and Standish E set above an emblem composed of ancient weaponsand Medina, in the preparation of this brochure. Thanks a stylized helmet. The judge's bench, like that in the South are also extended to Robert M. Reaves and Joseph E Court Room, has a freestanding pedimented panel be- Trubia for their cooperation in the production of the hind the judge's chair. An enthroned figure of Justice brochure. holds a sword while the inscription 'LEX' (Law) and a lamp signifying truth flank her head." This brochure is made possible by the gener- Portraits of former Surrogates of New York ositv of the Grand Street Bovs' Foundation. County displayed in the courtrooms portray the wisdom of the past into the present.

"This magnificent building is a tribute to the talents of the architect who intended it as a showcase of city government. Careful attention was lavished on the build- ing encompassing even such small details as light fixtures and bronze doorknobs. Many skilled craftsmen—mas- ons,, sculptors, mosaicists, bronze casters, and wood car- vers—helped to make this an irreplaceable building, one which could not be duplicated today. Much appreciated for its beauty, the building also continues to play a vital role in City government as the Surrogate's Court and the Hall of Records." It is appropriate that such a magnificent building Photographer: Frank Paulin' serve as the home for a court which affects the lives Art Director: Joyce Horowitz and rights of so many people. 18 1 "ormer Surrogate^_j s ojf New York Count{y/ Since the turn of the century the following Judges have served as Surrogates of New York County:

HON. FRANK T. FITZGERALD HON. JOSEPH A. COX (1900-1908) (1957-1967) HON. ABNER C. THOMAS HON. S. SAMUEL Dl FALCO (1900-1911) (1957-1976) HON. CHARLES H. BECKETT HON. SAMUEL J. SILVERMAN (1908-1909) (1967-1970) HON. JOHN R COHALAN HON. MORRIS AARONS (1909-1922) (March-December, 1971) HON. ROBERT LUDLOW FOWLER HON. MILLARD L. MIDONICK (1911-1919) (1972-1982) HON. JAMES A. FOLEY HON. SAMUEL J. SPIEGEL (1920-1946) (January-May, 1977) HON. JOHN R O'BRIEN HON. ARTHUR E. BLYN (1923-1932) (June-December, 1977) HON. JAMES A. DELEHANTY HON. MARIE M. LAMBERT (1932-1948) (1978- ) HON. WILLIAM T. COLLINS HON. ALLEN M. MYERS (1946-1956) (July-December, 1982) HON. GEORGE FRANKENTHALER HON. RENEE R. ROTH (1949-1956) (1983- )

r. Shown throughout: Details of Interior and Exterior of Building Backpage: Mosaic Ceiling in Foyer 19 r