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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
PresidentTheodore Roosevelt
William Howard Taft
Preceded byBellamy Storer
Succeeded byRichard C. Kerens
United States Minister to Romania
In office
October 16, 1901 – December 24, 1902
PresidentTheodore Roosevelt
Preceded byArthur Sherburne Hardy
Succeeded byJohn B. Jackson
United States Minister to Serbia
In office
May 13, 1901 – December 24, 1902
PresidentWilliam McKinley
Theodore Roosevelt
Preceded byArthur Sherburne Hardy
Succeeded byJohn B. Jackson
United States Minister to Greece
In office
March 2, 1901 – December 24, 1902
PresidentWilliam McKinley
Theodore Roosevelt
Preceded byArthur Sherburne Hardy
Succeeded byJohn B. Jackson
Personal details
Born(1853-06-17)June 17, 1853
Troy, New York, U.S.
DiedDecember 1, 1911(1911-12-01) (aged 58)
Troy, New York, U.S.
Resting placeOakwood Cemetery
42°45′50″N 73°39′59″W / 42.76389°N 73.66639°W / 42.76389; -73.66639
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Alice Evans
​
(m. 1878)​
Parents
Alma materCornell University (B.S.)
OccupationNewspaper editor, diplomat
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceNew York State National Guard
RankColonel

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

Early life and education

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d John William Leonard (1907). Men of America: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries. L. R. Hamersly. pp. 908–909.
  2. ^ a b "To Represent US Abroad". New-York Tribune. December 30, 1900. p. 14. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Obituary: Charles S. Francis, '77". Cornell Alumni News. Vol. 14, no. 10. Ithaca, New York. December 6, 1911. p. 111. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d "CHARLES S. FRANCIS DEAD.; Ex-Ambassador to Austria-Hungary and Owner of The Troy Times". The New York Times. December 2, 1911. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  5. ^ "3 GENERATIONS BLEND IN CORNELL OARSMAN; John M. Francis Jr., a Freshman, Follows in Steps of Father and Grandfather". The New York Times. May 18, 1924. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "A New Ambassador". New-York Tribune. March 20, 1906. p. 3. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  7. ^ "DIPLOMATIC CORPS CHANGES.; H. L. Wilson, Minister to Chile, Succeeds Charles S. Francis as Minister to Greece -- Others Promoted". The New York Times. October 15, 1902. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  8. ^ "Mr. Storer's Recall". New-York Tribune. March 28, 1906. p. 4. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  9. ^ "Court Reception for Francis". Democrat and Chronicle. January 31, 1907. p. 10. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  10. ^ "Francis leaving Austria". Buffalo Morning Express and Illustrated Buffalo Express. April 2, 1910. p. 12. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  11. ^ "KERENS FOR AMBASSADOR.; Will Probably Be Appointed to the Embassy at Vienna". The New York Times. November 27, 1909. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "Colonel Charles S. Francis" (PDF). Cornell Alumni News. Vol. 3, no. 15. January 9, 1901. p. 1. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Newspaper Proprietor and Diplomat is Summoned to the Great Beyond". The Post-Star. December 2, 1911. p. 1. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Charles Spencer Francis.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Minister to Greece
1901 - 1902 		Succeeded by
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
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