United States Ambassador to France
Encyclopedia
This article is about the United States Ambassador to France. There has been a United States Ambassador to France since the American Revolution
. The United States
sent its first envoy
s to France
in 1776, towards the end of the four-centuries-old Bourbon dynasty. The American diplomatic relationship with France has continued throughout that country's five republican regime
s, two periods of French empire, the Bourbon Restoration
, and its July Monarchy
. After the Battle of France
, the United States maintained diplomatic relations with Vichy France
until France severed them on the date Operation Torch
was launched in November, 1942; the Embassy was reopened December, 1944.
During the First Republic
:
During the First French Empire
:
During the First French Empire and Bourbon Restoration
:
During Vichy France
:
During the French Fourth Republic
:
During the French Fourth Republic and the French Fifth Republic
:
During the French Fifth Republic:
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. The United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sent its first envoy
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...
s to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1776, towards the end of the four-centuries-old Bourbon dynasty. The American diplomatic relationship with France has continued throughout that country's five republican regime
Regime
The word regime refers to a set of conditions, most often of a political nature.-Politics:...
s, two periods of French empire, the Bourbon Restoration
Bourbon Restoration
The Bourbon Restoration is the name given to the period following the successive events of the French Revolution , the end of the First Republic , and then the forcible end of the First French Empire under Napoleon – when a coalition of European powers restored by arms the monarchy to the...
, and its July Monarchy
July Monarchy
The July Monarchy , officially the Kingdom of France , was a period of liberal constitutional monarchy in France under King Louis-Philippe starting with the July Revolution of 1830 and ending with the Revolution of 1848...
. After the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
, the United States maintained diplomatic relations with Vichy France
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
until France severed them on the date Operation Torch
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
was launched in November, 1942; the Embassy was reopened December, 1944.
United States Representatives in Paris
The following is a complete list of the credentialed American diplomats sent to France:United States Envoys to France
During the Bourbon dynasty:- Benjamin FranklinBenjamin FranklinDr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, Arthur LeeArthur Lee (diplomat)Dr. Arthur Lee was an American diplomat during the American Revolutionary War. He was the son of Hon. Thomas Lee and Hannah Harrison Ludwell...
, Silas DeaneSilas DeaneSilas Deane was an American merchant, politician and diplomat. Originally a supporter of American independence Deane served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and then as the United States' first foreign diplomat when he travelled to France to lobby the French government for aid...
(substituted by John AdamsJohn AdamsJohn Adams was an American lawyer, statesman, diplomat and political theorist. A leading champion of independence in 1776, he was the second President of the United States...
in 1778) Dec. 1776–1779
United States Ministers Plenipotentiary to France
During the Bourbon dynasty:- Benjamin FranklinBenjamin FranklinDr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
—Appointed Sep 14, 1778; Presented credentials Mar 23, 1779; Termination of mission May 17, 1785 - Thomas JeffersonThomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
-- Appointed Mar 10, 1785; Presented credentials: May 17, 1785 – Termination of mission September 26, 1789 - William ShortWilliam Short (American ambassador)William Short was Thomas Jefferson's private secretary when he was ambassador in Paris, from 1786 to 1789. Jefferson, later the third President of the United States, referred to Short as his "adoptive son". Short, along with Jefferson, was a co-founder of Phi Beta Kappa at the College of William &...
April 20, 1790 – May 15, 1792
During the First Republic
French First Republic
The French First Republic was founded on 22 September 1792, by the newly established National Convention. The First Republic lasted until the declaration of the First French Empire in 1804 under Napoleon I...
:
- Gouverneur MorrisGouverneur MorrisGouverneur Morris , was an American statesman, a Founding Father of the United States, and a native of New York City who represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation. Morris was also an author of large sections of the...
1792–1794 - James MonroeJames MonroeJames Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation...
1794–1796 - Charles Cotesworth PinckneyCharles Cotesworth PinckneyCharles Cotesworth “C. C.” Pinckney , was an early American statesman of South Carolina, Revolutionary War veteran, and delegate to the Constitutional Convention. He was twice nominated by the Federalist Party as their presidential candidate, but he did not win either election.-Early life and...
1796–1797 - Robert R. Livingston 1801–1804
First French Empire
The First French Empire , also known as the Greater French Empire or Napoleonic Empire, was the empire of Napoleon I of France...
:
- John ArmstrongJohn Armstrong, Jr.John Armstrong, Jr. was an American soldier and statesman who was a delegate to the Continental Congress, U.S. Senator from New York, and Secretary of War.-Early life and Revolutionary War:...
1804–1810 - Joel BarlowJoel BarlowJoel Barlow was an American poet, diplomat and politician. In his own time, Barlow was well-known for the epic Vision of Columbus. Modern readers may be more familiar with "The Hasty Pudding"...
1811–1812
During the First French Empire and Bourbon Restoration
Bourbon Restoration
The Bourbon Restoration is the name given to the period following the successive events of the French Revolution , the end of the First Republic , and then the forcible end of the First French Empire under Napoleon – when a coalition of European powers restored by arms the monarchy to the...
:
- William H. CrawfordWilliam H. CrawfordWilliam Harris Crawford was an American politician and judge during the early 19th century. He served as United States Secretary of War from 1815 to 1816 and United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1816 to 1825, and was a candidate for President of the United States in 1824.-Political...
1813–1815 - Levett Harris, April 1833–September 1833
United States Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France
During the French Third Republic:- James Biddle Eustis 1893–1897
- Horace PorterHorace PorterHorace Porter, was an American soldier and diplomat who served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War....
1897–1905 - Robert Sanderson McCormickRobert Sanderson McCormickRobert Sanderson McCormick was a United States diplomat. Born in rural Virginia, his extended McCormick family became influential in Chicago.-Life:...
1905–1907 - Henry WhiteHenry White (diplomat)Henry White was a prominent U.S. diplomat during the 1890s and 1900s, and one of the signers of the Treaty of Versailles....
1907–1909 - Robert BaconRobert BaconRobert Bacon was an American statesman and diplomat. He served as United States Secretary of State from January to March 1909.-Biography:...
1909–1912 - Myron T. HerrickMyron T. HerrickMyron Timothy Herrick was a Republican politician from Ohio. He served as the 42nd Governor of Ohio.-Biography:...
1912–1914 - William Graves SharpWilliam Graves SharpWilliam Graves Sharp was an American lawyer, manufacturer, three-term congressman, and diplomat.Sharp was born in Mount Gilead, Ohio. He graduated LL.B. from the Law Department of the University of Michigan in 1881 and then practiced law in Elyria, Ohio. He also engaged in the manufacture of...
1914–1919 - Hugh Campbell WallaceHugh Campbell WallaceHugh Campbell Wallace was an American businessman, political activist, and diplomat who is best known for his service as the United States Ambassador to France from 1919 to 1921. Wallace was born in Lexington, Missouri and served as receiver of public moneys in Salt Lake City in the late 1880s...
1919–1921 - Myron T. HerrickMyron T. HerrickMyron Timothy Herrick was a Republican politician from Ohio. He served as the 42nd Governor of Ohio.-Biography:...
1921–1929 - Walter E. Edge 1929-1933
- Jesse Isidor StrausJesse I. StrausJesse Isidor Straus served as the American ambassador to France from 1933 to 1936. He was the eldest son of Isidor Straus , who died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic, co-owner with his brother Nathan Straus of the department store R.H. Macy & Co...
1933–1936 - William C. Bullitt 1936–1940
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
:
- William D. LeahyWilliam D. LeahyFleet Admiral William Daniel Leahy was an American naval officer, building his reputation through administration and staff work. As Chief of Naval Operations he was the senior officer in Navy, overseeing the preparations for war. After retiring from the Navy he was appointed by his close friend...
1941–1942- After Leahy left, S. Pinkney Tuck served as interim Chargé d'affairesChargé d'affairesIn diplomacy, chargé d’affaires , often shortened to simply chargé, is the title of two classes of diplomatic agents who head a diplomatic mission, either on a temporary basis or when no more senior diplomat has been accredited.-Chargés d’affaires:Chargés d’affaires , who were...
until France severed diplomatic relations with the U.S. on November 8, 1942, the date of Operation TorchOperation TorchOperation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
- After Leahy left, S. Pinkney Tuck served as interim Chargé d'affaires
During the French Fourth Republic
French Fourth Republic
The French Fourth Republic was the republican government of France between 1946 and 1958, governed by the fourth republican constitution. It was in many ways a revival of the Third Republic, which was in place before World War II, and suffered many of the same problems...
:
- Jefferson CafferyJefferson CafferyJefferson Caffery served as U.S. ambassador to El Salvador , Colombia , Cuba , Brazil , France , and Egypt .-Career:...
30 December 1944–1949- The Embassy in Paris had been opened to the public Dec 1, 1944, with Ambassador Caffery in charge pending presentation of his letter of credence.
- David K. E. BruceDavid K. E. BruceDavid Kirkpatrick Este Bruce was an American diplomat, and the only American to serve as Ambassador to France, the Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom.-Biography:...
1949–1952 - James C. Dunn 1952–1953
- C. Douglas DillonC. Douglas DillonClarence Douglas Dillon was an American diplomat and politician, who served as U.S. Ambassador to France and as the 57th Secretary of the Treasury...
1953–1957
During the French Fourth Republic and the French Fifth Republic
French Fifth Republic
The Fifth Republic is the fifth and current republican constitution of France, introduced on 4 October 1958. The Fifth Republic emerged from the collapse of the French Fourth Republic, replacing the prior parliamentary government with a semi-presidential system...
:
- Amory HoughtonAmory HoughtonAmory Houghton served as United States Ambassador to France and National President of the Boy Scouts of America.-Family:...
1957-1961
During the French Fifth Republic:
- James M. GavinJames M. GavinJames Maurice "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin was a prominent Lieutenant General in the United States Army during World War II...
1961–1962 - Charles E. BohlenCharles E. BohlenCharles Eustis “Chip” Bohlen was a United States diplomat from 1929 to 1969 and Soviet expert, serving in Moscow before and during World War II, succeeding George F. Kennan as United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union , then ambassador to the Philippines , and to France...
1962–1968 - Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr.Sargent ShriverRobert Sargent Shriver, Jr., known as Sargent Shriver, R. Sargent Shriver, or, from childhood, Sarge, was an American statesman and activist. As the husband of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, he was part of the Kennedy family, serving in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations...
1968–1970 - Arthur K. WatsonArthur K. WatsonArthur Kittredge Watson served as president of IBM World Trade Corporation and United States Ambassador to France.-Family:He was born in Summit, New Jersey. His father, Thomas J...
1970–1972 - John N. Irwin, IIJohn N. Irwin, IIJohn Nichol Irwin II was a United States diplomat to France and attorney during the Cold War. In government, he served as Ambassador to France, Deputy Secretary of State, in the U.S. State Department, and as an American government official.- References :...
1973–1974 - Kenneth RushKenneth RushKenneth Rush was a United States Ambassador who helped negotiate the ground-breaking four-power agreement in 1971 that ended the post-war crisis over Berlin.-Early life:...
1974–1977 - Arthur A. HartmanArthur A. HartmanArthur Adair Hartman is a retired American career diplomat who served as Ambassador to France under Jimmy Carter and Ambassador to the Soviet Union under Ronald Reagan.-Career:...
1977–1981 - Evan Griffith Galbraith 1981–1985
- Joe M. RodgersJoe M. RodgersJoe M. Rodgers was an American construction company executive and political operative who served as the United States Ambassador to France....
1985–1989 - Walter CurleyWalter CurleyWalter Joseph Patrick Curley II was the 57th United States Ambassador to France from 1989 to 1993 and the United States Ambassador to Ireland from 1975 to 1977. Curley was New York City's Commissioner of Public Events and Chief of Protocol from 1973 to 1974, during the administrations of John...
1989–1993 - Pamela HarrimanPamela HarrimanPamela Beryl Harriman , also known as Pamela Churchill Harriman, was an English-born socialite who was married and linked to important and powerful men. In later life, she became a political activist for the United States Democratic Party and a diplomat...
1993–1997 - Felix RohatynFelix RohatynFelix George Rohatyn is an American investment banker known for his role in preventing the bankruptcy of New York City in the 1970s, who also served as United States Ambassador to France. He was a long term advisor to the U.S...
1997–2000 - Howard H. LeachHoward H. LeachHoward H. Leach was United States Ambassador to France from 2001 to 2005. Born in Salinas, California, on June 19, 1930, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Yale University in 1952...
2001–2005 - Craig Roberts StapletonCraig Roberts StapletonCraig Roberts Stapleton is a former United States ambassador to France and the Czech Republic.-Biography:Stapleton was born in Kansas City, Missouri. His grandfather, Benjamin F. Stapleton, was a politician who served five terms as mayor of Denver. He received his secondary school education at...
2005–2009 - Charles RivkinCharles RivkinCharles Hammerman Rivkin is the current United States Ambassador to France. Selected by President Barack Obama, he was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg following unanimous confirmation by the United States Senate on July 10, 2009.At his Senate confirmation hearing, Senator...
2009–present.
See also
- U.S. Embassy, Paris
- List of French ambassadors to the United States
- France – United States relations
- Foreign relations of FranceForeign relations of FranceA charter member of the United Nations, France holds one of the permanent seats in the Security Council and is a member of most of its specialized and related agencies.-Nicolas Sarkozy:...
- Ambassadors of the United States