Roy L. Austin

Roy Leslie Austin (born 1939) is a former United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago from December 2001 to December 2009.

Roy L. Austin
15th U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago
In office December 6, 2001 – December 18, 2009
President	George W. Bush Barack Obama
Preceded by	Edward E. Shumaker III
Succeeded by	Beatrice Wilkinson Welters
Personal details
Born	Roy Leslie Austin (1939-12-13) December 13, 1939 (age 85) Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Spouse	Glynis Josephine Sutherland
Children	Roy L. Austin, Jr. Roger Austin Deborah Austin Depay
Education	Yale University (B.A.) University of Washington (M.A., Ph.D.)
Occupation	Professor of Sociology

Biography

Born in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, he moved to the United States to study and later became a U.S. citizen. He attended Yale University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. While there he befriended future U.S. President George W. Bush and both were inducted to the secret society Skull and Bones.^[1][2][3] He earned a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Washington.

Austin was Associate Professor of Sociology, Justice, and African American Studies at Pennsylvania State University and served as director of the Crime, Law, and Justice Program and the Africana Research Center.

Bush appointed Austin to the post of Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago. He was sworn in October 19, 2001.^[3] He left the post on December 18, 2009.

Personal life

In 1967, Austin married Glynis Josephine Sutherland. They have three children, Roy L. Austin, Jr., Roger Austin, and Deborah Austin Depay.^[4] Austin's eldest son, Roy Jr., served as a Deputy Assistant to President Barack Obama leading the White House Office of Urban Affairs, Justice, and Opportunity.