Jim Pipkin

1939 - 2023

PIPKIN

JIM PIPKIN

Jim Pipkin was born in Texas in 1939, grew up in New York City, and moved to the Washington area in 1958. He received degrees from Princeton, Harvard Law School, and Oxford University. His distinguished legal career began clerking for Justice Tom Clark on the U.S Supreme Court. He then practiced as a partner in the Washington law firm of Steptoe & Johnson from 1972 to 1993. In 1993 he joined the U.S Department of the Interior as Counselor to the Secretary, and in 1994 he was appointed by President Clinton to serve as Ambassador and Special Negotiator for the U.S-Canada Pacific Salmon Treaty. He played a key role on Pacific Northwest Forest issues and was chief federal negotiator on Everglades restoration. Jim's dedication to and love of the natural world remained with him throughout his life.



Jim was also a skillful and passionate photographer, who studied with Ansel Adams in 1975 and for years taught all the courses on architectural photography at the Smithsonian Institute. His work was exhibited on four continents, and in 1977 the Royal Institute of British Architects gave him a one-man show at its headquarters in London. In the 1980's, he was commissioned by the National Gallery of Art in Washington to visit England, Scotland and Wales to produce the photography for its elaborate "Treasure Houses of Britain" exhibit, including its full-wall murals and accompanying monographs. Over a million visitors, including members of the British Royal Family, admired his work on Treasure Houses – the largest show the National Gallery has ever mounted. With sponsorship from the British National Trust, he went on to produce several books including "The English Country House" and "The Country House Garden" – followed by "Places of Tranquility" and "Places of Inspiration."



Jim also had a vast knowledge of wine, and for over two decades shared his appreciation with the Burgundy wine fraternity the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, serving for many years as Grand Seneschal to the Sous-Commanderie de Washington and as Grand Chamberlin to the Commanderie d'Amerique. In addition to serving as a member of the Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Club in Washington, he served on the Club's wine Committee as Chair and Emeritus Chair until he passed away. His relationships with winemakers around the world allowed him to organize outstanding wine tastings and dinners, and he championed the creation of the Club's distinctive wine cellar.



Jim is survived by his wife Lesley, whom he first married in 1967. After many years following different paths, the couple again reunited in marriage two weeks before his death on December 13, 2022 at the age of 83.



A celebration of Jim's life will take place at the Metropolitan Club in the early spring.