Charles Spencer Francis

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Charles Spencer Francis
Man with moustache, dressed in early 20-century clothing, looks left
Francis, circa 1901
United States Ambassador to Austria
In office
May 29, 1906 – April 1, 1910
President Theodore Roosevelt
William Howard Taft
Preceded by Bellamy Storer
Succeeded by Richard C. Kerens
United States Minister to Romania
In office
October 16, 1901 – December 24, 1902
President Theodore Roosevelt
Preceded by Arthur Sherburne Hardy
Succeeded by John B. Jackson
United States Minister to Serbia
In office
May 13, 1901 – December 24, 1902
President William McKinley
Theodore Roosevelt
Preceded by Arthur Sherburne Hardy
Succeeded by John B. Jackson
United States Minister to Greece
In office
March 2, 1901 – December 24, 1902
President William McKinley
Theodore Roosevelt
Preceded by Arthur Sherburne Hardy
Succeeded by John B. Jackson
Personal details
Born (1853-06-17)June 17, 1853
Troy, New York, U.S.
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Troy, New York, U.S.
Resting place Oakwood Cemetery
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Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Alice Evans (m. 1878)
Alma mater Cornell University (B.S.)
Occupation Newspaper editor, diplomat
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch New York State National Guard
Rank Colonel

Charles Spencer Francis (June 17, 1853 – December 1, 1911) was an American diplomat and newspaper editor.

Early life and education

The son of diplomat and newspaper publisher John M. Francis and Harriet E. Tucker,[1] Charles Spencer Francis was born on June 17, 1853.[2] He studied at Cornell University from 1870 to 1871,[3] before joining his father in Greece as his secretary.[4] His mission completed, Francis thus returned to the United States and Cornell in 1874.[3]

At Cornell, Francis proved to be an excellent rower, setting the world record in intercollegiate single scull competition[clarification needed] in 1876 (which stood long after his death, up until his grandson also attended Cornell).[5] He graduated from Cornell the next year with a Bachelor of Science degree.[3]

Newspaperman

He went to work for his father's newspaper, The Troy Times, as a reporter,[2] and worked his way up to the editor's desk. He bought a stake in the paper, then made it an equal one. Upon his father's death in 1897, Francis took over the paper entirely.[6]

Diplomatic career

Francis, a Republican,[1] was appointed to his father's old post of United States Minister to Greece, Serbia, and Romania in 1900, under President William McKinley.[4] Two years later, Francis resigned to attend to his newspaper and other business interests.[7]

He returned to diplomacy in 1906, when President Theodore Roosevelt nominated Francis to another of his father's old posts: that of the United States Ambassador to Austria—at the time, the United States Ambassador to Austria-Hungary;[6] upon the recall of Bellamy Storer. The Emperor, Franz Joseph, accepted; and his appointment was announced by the Foreign Ministry on March 28, 1906.[8] Two months later, Francis presented his credentials.

He was officially introduced to the Emperor's court on January 30, 1907.[9] Three years later, on the eve of his departure, the Emperor received him in a farewell audience.[10]

He was replaced by Richard C. Kerens.[11]

Other activities

A member of Zeta Psi, he served in the New York State National Guard under Joseph Bradford Carr, ultimately attaining the rank of colonel.[12] He was also a vice president of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society,[4] and a member of Sons of the Revolution.[3]

In 1903, Francis became a member of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York,[6] which he resigned upon his nomination as ambassador.[1]

Personal life

Francis married Alice Evans, the daughter of a Cornell professor,[4] on May 23, 1878;[1] and they had five children, two sons and three daughters.[13]

Francis died from myocarditis on December 1, 1911,[3] and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery.[13]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Minister to Greece
1901 - 1902		 Succeeded by
John B. Jackson
United States Minister to Serbia
1901 - 1902
United States Minister to Romania
1901 - 1902
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Austria
1906 - 1910		 Succeeded by
Richard C. Kerens

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