Encyclopedia Entries

Showing 1–10 of 14 results

  • People

    Benjamin Franklin

    Born in Boston in 1706 as the tenth son of a soapmaker, Benjamin Franklin began his career as an apprentice in his brother’s printing business. A restless spirit took him to Philadelphia where he opened his own printing shop. Despite very little formal schooling, Franklin’s love for learning and experimentation led him…

  • People

    Clifton R. Wharton, Sr.

    Death April 25, 1990 Recognition/Achievement First African American Foreign Service Officer to become an Ambassador Role/Rank Ambassador Biography Clifton Wharton earned a master of law…

  • People

    Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett

    Recognition/achievement First African-American Diplomat Role/Rank U.S. Minister to Haiti and the Dominican Republic Biography President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Ebenezer Bassett as the U.S. Minister…

  • People

    Frances Elizabeth Willis

    Death July 23, 1983 Recognition/Achievement First female career Foreign Service Officer to serve as an Ambassador Role/Rank Ambassador Biography Frances Willis graduated from Stanford University…

  • People

    Helen Eugenie Anderson

    Death March 31, 1997 Recognition/Achievement First woman to hold the rank of Ambassador Role/Rank Ambassador Biography A trip to Europe in 1937 sparked Eugenie Moore…

  • People

    Henry Wheaton

    Recognition/Achievement Scholar of International Law and Minister Role/Rank Minister Biography Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Henry Wheaton graduated from Rhode Island College (now Brown University)…

  • People

    John Foster Dulles

    Death May 24, 1959 Recognition/Achievement First Secretary of State to hold regular press conferences Role/Rank Secretary of State Biography Grandson of one Secretary of State…

  • People

    John Jay

    Born in 1745, John Jay showed great promise at a very young age, entering King's College (now Columbia University) at age fourteen. He graduated with highest honors in 1764 and was admitted to the bar to practice law in New York in 1768. As one of the most prominent members of the…

  • People

    John Quincy Adams

    Role/rank Minister, Secretary of State, President Recognition/Achievement Negotiated the Treaty of Ghent, Wrote the Monroe Doctrine Biography John Quincy Adams embarked on his first diplomatic mission at…

  • People

    Patricia Roberts Harris

    Birth May 31, 1924 Death March 23, 1985 RECOGNITION/ACHIEVEMENT First African American woman to serve as an Ambassador Role/Rank Ambassador Biography Patricia Roberts showed a…