Whitney, John Hay, 1904-82, American public official and newspaper publisher, b. Ellsworth, Maine. After an active career in business and in various government posts, Whitney served (1957-61) as ambassador to Great Britain. In 1958 his company acquired control of the New York Herald Tribune, and in 1961 he became publisher of the newspaper, which ceased publication in 1966. The company continued to publish its Paris edition, which became the International Herald Tribune (now owned by the New York Times).