Charles Page Bryan
Encyclopedia
Charles Page Bryan was an American
lawyer
and diplomat
.
Bryan was born in Chicago
, Illinois
, on October 2, 1856. He received his preparatory education in that city, subsequently becoming a student at the University of Virginia
and later taking his degree in law at Columbian University (now George Washington University
), Washington, D. C. From 1879 to 1883 he practiced his profession in Colorado and also took an active part in politics, being elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1880. In 1883 he returned to his former home, Chicago, where he soon became a leader in State politics. He served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from 1888 to 1897 and also served on the staffs of three successive governors of the State, in each instance with the rank of colonel
. In 1891 and 1892 he made tours of Europe in the interest of the Chicago Exposition, making the acquaintance of many of the foremost rulers and statesmen of the countries visited.
His diplomatic career really began in 1897, when he was appointed minister to China
by President William McKinley
. The following year he received the appointment as envoy
to Brazil
. In this role, he laid the firm foundation for the cordial relations between the United States and Brazil. In 1902 he was transferred to Switzerland
, but in a few months thereafter (January 1903) he was given the more important post of minister to Portugal
, where he remained for six years. In 1909 he was transferred as minister to Belgium
, and after serving two years was became ambassador to Japan
.
He retired from the diplomatic service in 1912, and later made his home in Washington and Chicago, dividing his time between the two cities. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati
, of the Society of Foreign Wars, a veteran of the Spanish-American War
, and was a member of leading clubs in New York, Washington, and Chicago. He died in Washington, D. C., March 12, 1918.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
.
Bryan was born in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, on October 2, 1856. He received his preparatory education in that city, subsequently becoming a student at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
and later taking his degree in law at Columbian University (now George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
), Washington, D. C. From 1879 to 1883 he practiced his profession in Colorado and also took an active part in politics, being elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1880. In 1883 he returned to his former home, Chicago, where he soon became a leader in State politics. He served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives
Illinois House of Representatives
The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from...
from 1888 to 1897 and also served on the staffs of three successive governors of the State, in each instance with the rank of colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. In 1891 and 1892 he made tours of Europe in the interest of the Chicago Exposition, making the acquaintance of many of the foremost rulers and statesmen of the countries visited.
His diplomatic career really began in 1897, when he was appointed minister to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
by President William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
. The following year he received the appointment as envoy
Envoy (title)
In diplomacy, an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary is, under the terms of the Congress of Vienna of 1815, a diplomat of the second class, ranking between an Ambassador and a Minister Resident....
to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. In this role, he laid the firm foundation for the cordial relations between the United States and Brazil. In 1902 he was transferred to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, but in a few months thereafter (January 1903) he was given the more important post of minister to Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, where he remained for six years. In 1909 he was transferred as minister to Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, and after serving two years was became ambassador to Japan
United States Ambassador to Japan
The United States Ambassador to Japan is the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary from the United States to Japan. Since the opening of Japan by Commodore Matthew C. Perry, in 1854, the U.S. maintained diplomatic relations with Japan, except for the ten-year period following the attack on...
.
He retired from the diplomatic service in 1912, and later made his home in Washington and Chicago, dividing his time between the two cities. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati
Society of the Cincinnati
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organization with branches in the United States and France founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the American Revolutionary War officers and to pressure the government to honor pledges it had made to officers who fought for American...
, of the Society of Foreign Wars, a veteran of the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, and was a member of leading clubs in New York, Washington, and Chicago. He died in Washington, D. C., March 12, 1918.