born in san francisco, california, drew was a graduate of the university of california, berkeley where he was a member of phi kappa tau. he served as u.s. vice consul in pará, 1929; envoy to jordan, 1950–52; ambassador to bolivia, 1954–57; ambassador to haiti, 1957–60. he was assigned to haiti by the dwight d. eisenhower administration at the beginning of the regime of françois duvalier. he criticized the duvalier government, and duvalier requested his removal, but this was rejected by christian herter.