Biography

[EPA press release - April 30, 1973]

John R. Quarles, Jr. was named Acting Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency today by William D. Ruckelshaus.

Quarles, 38, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, April 26, 1935. He graduated magna cum laude in 1961 from the Harvard Law School, where he was elected permanent Class Secretary and was a member of the Harvard Law Review. He attended Yale University as an undergraduate, receiving a degree in political science and economics in 1957. He was a Phi Beta Kappa at Yale, where he also was graduated magna cum laude.

From 1962 through 1969, Quarles was engaged in the practice of law with the Boston law firm of Herrick, Smith, Donald, Farley and Ketchum.

In May 1969, he became Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Interior for Environmental Planning.

In November 1969, Quarles was appointed Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior for Program Planning and Research. He served in that post until his appointment at EPA.

As chief legal officer of EPA, Quarles directed a wide spectrum of enforcement activities by the Agency. Since EPA was established in December 1970, more than 1,200 enforcement actions in water, air, and pesticide control have been initiated by EPA. Quarles also has represented the Administrator at many official meetings concerned with enforcement of environmental controls.

Quarles is married to the former Nancy Barbara Harris. They have three children and live in McLean, Virginia.