Ralph Bunche was a prominent international civil servant. After serving in the United States government, he became involved in the early history of the UN and held several high-level positions under the first three Secretaries-General.
He participated in the San Francisco Conference, served on the Preparatory Commission for the UN, and worked as Under-Secretary-General for the United Nations from 1946-1971.
He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for his work as mediator in the Middle East.
He served in several roles in the UN and is especially known for his work in the following areas:
- Middle East Armistice, 1948-1949
- Suez crisis and the establishment of UNEF, 1956
- Congo, 1960
- Trusteeship, 1945-1971
His papers are held by UCLA and the UN Archives. Many books and articles have explored his work and legacy.
Links & Files
- Nobel Prize website biography of Ralph Bunche
- UN Photo search for Ralph Bunche
- UN Archives search for Bunche
- UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center
- UCLA Library: Centenary Celebration of Ralph Bunche
- PBS documentary: Ralph Bunche An American Odyssey
- UN Radio 1962 interview with Ralph Bunche
- “The Absolutely Indispensable Man”: Ralph Bunche and the UN’s first special political mission
- Absolutely Indispensable Man, by Kal Raustiala: ebook access for UNHQ users
Jan 23, 2024
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