John Goelet (1931-2023)

BOOKLOVERS around the world are mourning the loss of John Goelet, 91, who died Jan. 8, 2023 at his home in Maryland. That’s because wherever he traveled around the world he carried a bottomless briefcase already packed with books, newspapers and publications, on various subjects in many languages. He enjoyed browsing in international bookstores and reading multiple newspapers in French and English. When he was in his family home in Sandricourt, France, the local bookseller made it a point to call on him regularly. Whenever John visited Middle East Books and More, we built a tower with our latest books for him. Somehow there was always room for another dozen in his briefcase and bookshelves—and he would read them all. A line by Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin comes to mind: “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”

John Goelet lived many lives and had countless interests, but it was his passion to improve education and the media that brought the American Educational Trust, Americans for Middle East Understanding, international scholars, writers, cartoonists and filmmakers under his wing. He believed that better education and an unbiased media could solve most international problems, so he also discreetly endowed academic chairs, supplied funds and ideas, as well as precious artwork he’d collected from around the world, to universities, including his alma mater, Harvard, as well as the American Universities in Cairo and Afghanistan. He supported educational publications like ours, online media platforms, museums, conferences and research that would help inform and improve the political landscape. He listened to new ideas, especially from young people, and fired up everyone in his orbit.

Born in France to a French mother and an American father, John studied history and languages, including Latin, French and Spanish. His interests then shifted to the Middle East, and the study of Arabic and Farsi, as well as Persian art. John met his wife, Henrietta, while he was attending the American University in Cairo, 70 years ago. She became his partner in adventures,

Delinda C. Hanley

including a months-long road trip to visit Henrietta’s close friend in Bhutan, by way of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

After John’s military service, the Goelets became involved in agrifarming research and training while they raised their sons. Deeply concerned about the sustainability of food production, John helped fund the Desert Development Center in South Tahrir, Egypt, which introduced new drought-resistant varieties of citrus fruit trees, improved cattlebreeding, and promoted land management practices that have spread in the water-challenged region. A conversation with John Goelet could move with lightning speed from politics to seedlings to portable contraptions that grab nighttime dew in the desert, to hot lighter-than-air balloons that could transport vital food and building supplies to survivors of disasters. Then there was his passion for aquaculture, which brought clam and oyster farming to France in 1972.

A descendant of Bordeaux’s famed wine merchant, Barton & Guestier, John Goelet had a vision of producing Cabernet Sauvignon that would rival the world’s best. He challenged a recent winemaking school graduate, young Bernard Portet, to travel the world and find a place to grow Cabernet Sauvignon. A two-year global search led Portet to the Napa Valley before it became recognized as a world-class wine region. Together with Portet, the couple planted their first vineyard in 1972 and began production of their beloved Clos du Val Bordeaux-style wines. Wine-lovers touring today are shown a shady courtyard with sturdy olive trees, which John planted for Henrietta.

Together, John and Henrietta have devoted their lives to planting and nurturing many seeds that may take years to bring peace. They’ve instilled that passion to leave the world a better place in their sons and their wives, Philip and Anette, and Christopher and Lucy, as well as their grandchildren. We will truly miss John’s boundless curiosity, enthusiastic and creative intellect, his mischievous sense of humor, and his ready generosity.

The Goelet family asks that memorial contributions be sent to:

Holy Family Hospital Foundation

2000 P Street NW #310

Washington DC 20036

Tel. 202-785-0801 ■