Political consultant and public relations pioneer Julian Read dies
By Lia Truitt VP Elizabeth Christian Public Relations
Published
Photo of Julian Read courtesy Elizabeth Christian Public Relations.
AUSTIN, Texas - Julian Otis Read, a nationally prominent public relations and public affairs expert, passed away on May 8, 2021 at Westminster Manor, a mile from his beloved mid-century modern classic home of 53 years in West Austin. He was 93.
Read was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Mary Anice Barber Read, a nationally honored leader in historic preservation.
Read is survived by daughters Ellen Hardin Read and Courtney Anice Read Hoffman and her husband R. Clark Hoffman; three grandchildren: Faye Hoffman Hilpert and husband Mark Hilpert, Katherine Hoffman and husband Robert Lindsey, and Clark Read Hoffman and wife Morgan Hoffman; great-grandchildren: Anice Elizabeth Hilpert, Juliana Rae Lindsey and Asher Read Lindsey; and great-grandnephew and nieces Bodie Butler, Me
Former presidential advisor Julian Read dies in Austin
Read was known as the first to provide a media briefing following President John F. Kennedy s assassination in 1963. Author: KVUE News Staff Updated: 10:50 AM CDT May 10, 2021
AUSTIN, Texas Julian Read, a former campaign adviser to several U.S. presidents, has died in Austin of natural causes.
A spokesperson confirmed his passing on May 8 and said a memorial service will be held on May 13 at the Texas State Cemetery.
Read, who is known as being the first person to deliver the media briefing after President John F. Kennedy s assassination, also served as an advisor to presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.
My friend Julian Read, a gentleman of the old school and friend to many, called me in January. Just checking in, he said. Catching up. How were my wife and I doing?
Just fine, we said. And Read said he was just calling to tell us he loved us. And he was calling because he didn’t know if he’d ever be able to tell us that again. Sounded like he was checking in and catching up with lots of folks.
Like I said, a gentleman with many friends. And a life that included links to a varied and legendary cast of characters, including John F. Kennedy, John Connally, Elvis Presley, Darrell Royal, Siegfried and Roy, and many more.