United States Ambassador to Italy
Encyclopedia
Since 1840, the United States
has had diplomatic
representation in the Italian Republic and its predecessor nation, the Kingdom of Italy
, with a break in relations from 1941 to 1944 while Italy and the U.S. were at war during World War II
. The U.S. Mission to Italy is headed by the Embassy of the United States in Rome
, and also includes six consular offices.
Beginning in 2006, the U.S. Ambassador to Italy is concurrently accredited as the U.S. Ambassador to San Marino
.
, and the effective start and end of their service in Italy.
The Embassy at Naples closed November 6, 1860.
Diplomatic relations were severed and the U.S. Embassy in Rome was closed on December 11, 1941, after Italy declared war on the United States. Diplomatic relations were reestablished on October 16, 1944. Ambassador Alexander C. Kirk reopened the U.S. Embassy in Rome when he presented his credentials on January 8, 1945.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
has had diplomatic
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
representation in the Italian Republic and its predecessor nation, the Kingdom of Italy
Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state...
, with a break in relations from 1941 to 1944 while Italy and the U.S. were at war during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The U.S. Mission to Italy is headed by the Embassy of the United States in Rome
Embassy of the United States in Rome
The Embassy of the United States of America to the Italian Republic is the diplomatic mission of the United States to Italy. The embassy's chancery is situated in the Palazzo Margherita, Via Vittorio Veneto, Rome. The current United States Ambassador to Italy is David Thorne...
, and also includes six consular offices.
Beginning in 2006, the U.S. Ambassador to Italy is concurrently accredited as the U.S. Ambassador to San Marino
San Marino
San Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino , is a state situated on the Italian Peninsula on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains. It is an enclave surrounded by Italy. Its size is just over with an estimated population of over 30,000. Its capital is the City of San Marino...
.
List of U.S. ambassadors to Italy
Listed below are the head U.S. diplomatic agents in Italy, their diplomatic rankDiplomatic rank
Diplomatic rank is the system of professional and social rank used in the world of diplomacy and international relations. Over time it has been formalized on an international basis.-Ranks:...
, and the effective start and end of their service in Italy.
| Name and Title | Presentation of Credentials |
Termination of Mission |
|---|---|---|
| John Nelson John Nelson (lawyer) John Nelson was Attorney General of the United States from 1843 to 1845 under John Tyler.Nelson was born in Frederick, Maryland, the son of politician Roger Nelson. He graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1811 and was admitted to the bar in 1813, starting practice in Frederick... , Chargé d'Affaires |
October 24, 1831 | October 15, 1832 |
| Enos T. Throop Enos T. Throop Enos Thompson Throop was an American lawyer, politician and diplomat who was the tenth Governor of New York from 1829 to 1832.-Early life and career:... , Chargé d'Affaires |
September 28, 1838 | December 29, 1841 |
| William Boulware, Chargé d'Affaires | December 29, 1841 | June 24, 1845 |
| William Hawkins Polk William Hawkins Polk William Hawkins Polk was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives for the 6th congressional district of Tennessee. He was the brother of President James Polk, who had represented the same district when he had served in the United States... , Chargé d'Affaires |
July 24, 1845 | May 11, 1847 |
| John Rowan, Chargé d'Affaires | June 27, 1848 | November 9, 1849 |
| Edward Joy Morris Edward Joy Morris Edward Joy Morris was a Whig and Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Morris was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools and the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia... , Chargé d'Affaires |
April 4, 1850 | August 25, 1853 |
| Robert Dale Owen Robert Dale Owen Robert Dale Owen was a longtime exponent in his adopted United States of the socialist doctrines of his father, Robert Owen, as well as a politician in the Democratic Party.-Biography:... , Minister Resident |
October 22, 1853 | September 20, 1858 |
| Joseph Ripley Chandler Joseph Ripley Chandler Joseph Ripley Chandler was a Whig member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.-Biography:Joseph R. Chandler was born in Kingston, Massachusetts. He was engaged in commercial work in Boston, Massachusetts, and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1815... , Minister Resident |
September 20, 1858 | November 6, 1860 |
The Embassy at Naples closed November 6, 1860.
| Name and Title | Presentation of Credentials |
Termination of Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Hezekiah Gold Rogers, Chargé d'Affaires | September 15, 1840 | November 22, 1841 |
| Ambrose Baber Ambrose Baber Edward Ambrose Baber was a U.S. doctor and diplomat. He was the U.S. chargé d'affaires in Italy from 1841 to 1844.... , Chargé d'Affaires |
December 1, 1841 | January 10, 1844 |
| Robert Wickliffe, Jr., Chargé d'Affaires | January 10, 1844 | 1847 |
| Nathaniel Niles, Chargé d'Affaires | April 28, 1848 | August 20, 1850 |
| William B. Kinney, Chargé d'Affaires | August 21, 1850 | October 8, 1853 |
| John M. Daniel, Chargé d'Affaires | October 10, 1853 | September 3, 1854 |
| John M. Daniel, Minister | September 4, 1854 | January 10, 1861 |
| George P. Marsh George Perkins Marsh George Perkins Marsh , an American diplomat and philologist, is considered by some to be America's first environmentalist, although "conservationist" would be more accurate... , Envoy |
June 23, 1861 | 1865 |
| Name and Title | Presentation of Credentials |
Termination of Mission |
|---|---|---|
| George P. Marsh George Perkins Marsh George Perkins Marsh , an American diplomat and philologist, is considered by some to be America's first environmentalist, although "conservationist" would be more accurate... , Envoy |
1865 | 1871 |
| Name and Title | Presentation of Credentials |
Termination of Mission |
|---|---|---|
| George P. Marsh George Perkins Marsh George Perkins Marsh , an American diplomat and philologist, is considered by some to be America's first environmentalist, although "conservationist" would be more accurate... , Envoy |
1871 | July 23, 1882 |
| William Waldorf Astor, Envoy | November 21, 1882 | March 1, 1885 |
| John B. Stallo, Envoy | November 27, 1885 | June 6, 1889 |
| Albert G. Porter Albert G. Porter Albert Gallatin Porter was an American politician who served as the 19th Governor of Indiana from 1881 to 1885 and as a United States Congressman from 1859 to 1863. Originally a Democrat, he joined the Republican Party in 1856 after being expelled by the pro-slavery faction of the Democratic Party... , Envoy |
June 6, 1889 | July 9, 1892 |
| William Potter, Envoy | December 28, 1892 | March 8, 1894 |
| Name and Title | Presentation of Credentials |
Termination of Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne MacVeagh Wayne MacVeagh Isaac Wayne MacVeagh was an American lawyer, politician, diplomat and the 36th Attorney General of the United States.-Biography:... , Ambassador |
March 11, 1894 | March 4, 1897 |
| William F. Draper William F. Draper William Franklin Draper was an American businessman, industrialist, and soldier who served as a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.-Biography:Draper was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on April 9, 1842... , Ambassador |
June 29, 1897 | June 5, 1900 |
| George V. L. Meyer George von Lengerke Meyer George von Lengerke Meyer was a Massachusetts businessman and politician who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, as United States ambassador to Italy and Russia, as United States Postmaster General from 1907 to 1909 during the administration of President Theodore Roosevelt and... , Ambassador |
February 4, 1901 | April 1, 1905 |
| Henry White Henry 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.... , Ambassador |
April 16, 1905 | February 26, 1907 |
| Lloyd C. Griscom Lloyd Carpenter Griscom Lloyd Carpenter Griscom was an American diplomat.-Biography:He was born on November 4, 1872 in born at Riverton, New Jersey to Clement Griscom. He graduated in 1891 from the University of Pennsylvania and studied law there and then at the New York Law School... , Ambassador |
March 17, 1907 | June 14, 1909 |
| John G. A. Leishman, Ambassador | July 4, 1909 | October 7, 1911 |
| Thomas J. O'Brien, Ambassador | November 13, 1911 | September 17, 1913 |
| Thomas Nelson Page Thomas Nelson Page Thomas Nelson Page was a lawyer and American writer. He also served as the U.S. ambassador to Italy during the administration of President Woodrow Wilson, including the important period of World War I.-Biography:... , Ambassador |
October 12, 1913 | June 21, 1919 |
| Robert Underwood Johnson Robert Underwood Johnson Robert Underwood Johnson was a U.S. writer and diplomat. His wife was Katharine Johnson.-Biography:A native of Washington, D.C., Johnson joined the staff of The Century Magazine in 1873... , Ambassador |
April 22, 1920 | May 20, 1921 |
| Richard Washburn Child Richard Washburn Child Richard Washburn Child was an American author and diplomat.-Early life and career:Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Child went to Harvard University and Law School where he graduated in 1906 to become a business lawyer... , Ambassador |
July 28, 1921 | January 20, 1924 |
| Henry P. Fletcher Henry P. Fletcher Henry Prather Fletcher was an American diplomat.Fletcher was born in Greencastle, Pennsylvania in 1873. He was the fourth cousin once removed of William McKinley.He served in the U.S... , Ambassador |
April 2, 1924 | August 3, 1929 |
| John W. Garrett, Ambassador | November 20, 1929 | May 22, 1933 |
| Breckinridge Long Breckinridge Long Breckinridge Long was a diplomat and politician who served in the administrations of Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.-Early life and career:... , Ambassador |
May 31, 1933 | April 23, 1936 |
| William Phillips William Phillips (diplomat) William Phillips was a career United States diplomat who served twice as an Under Secretary of State.... , Ambassador |
November 4, 1936 | October 6, 1941 |
| George Wadsworth George Wadsworth (diplomat) George Wadsworth II was a United States diplomat, specializing in the Middle East.Wadsworth was born in Buffalo, New York and received a degree in chemical engineering from Union College in Schenectady, New York... , Chargé d'Affaires |
October 6, 1941 | December 11, 1941 |
Diplomatic relations were severed and the U.S. Embassy in Rome was closed on December 11, 1941, after Italy declared war on the United States. Diplomatic relations were reestablished on October 16, 1944. Ambassador Alexander C. Kirk reopened the U.S. Embassy in Rome when he presented his credentials on January 8, 1945.
| Name and Title | Presentation of Credentials |
Termination of Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander C. Kirk Alexander Comstock Kirk Alexander Comstock Kirk was a United States diplomat.-Early years:Alexander Comstock Kirk was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 26, 1888, the son of James Alexander Kirk and Clara Comstock . His family lived in Hartland, Wisconsin... , Ambassador |
January 8, 1945 | March 5, 1946 |
| James Clement Dunn James Clement Dunn James Clement Dunn was an American diplomat and a career employee of the United States Department of State. He served as the Ambassador of the United States to Italy, France, Spain, and Brazil.-References:**... , Ambassador |
February 6, 1947 | March 17, 1952 |
| Ellsworth Bunker Ellsworth Bunker Ellsworth F. Bunker was an American businessman and diplomat... , Ambassador |
May 7, 1952 | April 3, 1953 |
| Clare Boothe Luce Clare Boothe Luce Clare Boothe Luce was an American playwright, editor, journalist, ambassador, socialite and U.S. Congresswoman, representing the state of Connecticut.-Early life:... , Ambassador |
May 4, 1953 | December 27, 1956 |
| James David Zellerbach James David Zellerbach James David Zellerbach was an American businessman and ambassador.Zellerbach was sworn in as United States Ambassador to Italy in 1957. He held the post until 1960. He was a member on the board of Wells Fargo Bank Council on Foreign Relations.He died on August 3, 1963 of a brain tumor.-External... , Ambassador |
February 6, 1957 | December 10, 1960 |
| G. Frederick Reinhardt G. Frederick Reinhardt George Frederick "Fred" Reinhardt was an American diplomat during the middle third of the 20th century.He was born in Berkeley, California, and matriculated at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was admitted to the Zeta Psi fraternity, graduating in 1933. Reinhardt was the U.S... , Ambassador |
May 17, 1961 | March 3, 1968 |
| H. Gardner Ackley Gardner Ackley Gardner Ackley also known as H. Gardner Ackley, was an American economist and diplomat.He served as a member of the Council of Economic Advisers under President John F. Kennedy, and as the Chairman under President Lyndon B. Johnson between 1964 and 1968... , Ambassador |
April 3, 1968 | August 27, 1969 |
| Graham A. Martin Graham Martin Graham Anderson Martin succeeded Ellsworth Bunker as United States Ambassador to South Vietnam in 1973. He would be the last person to hold that position. Martin previously served as ambassador to Thailand and as U.S. representative to SEATO.... , Ambassador |
October 30, 1969 | February 10, 1973 |
| John A. Volpe John A. Volpe John Anthony Volpe was the 61st and 63rd Governor of Massachusetts and a U.S. Secretary of Transportation.-Early life and education:Volpe was born in 1908 in Wakefield, Massachusetts. He was the son of Italian immigrants Vito and Filomena , who had come from Abruzzo to Boston's North End in 1905;... , Ambassador |
March 6, 1973 | January 24, 1977 |
| Richard N. Gardner Richard N. Gardner Richard Newton Gardner served as the United States Ambassador to Spain and the United States Ambassador to Italy. He is currently a professor of law at Columbia Law School.-Education:... , Ambassador |
March 21, 1977 | February 27, 1981 |
| Maxwell M. Rabb Maxwell M. Rabb Maxwell M. Rabb was born in Boston, Massachusetts and earned an. A.B. and an LLB from Harvard University in 1932 and 1935, respectively.... , Ambassador |
July 1, 1981 | June 3, 1989 |
| Peter F. Secchia Peter F. Secchia Peter F. Secchia, is an Italian-American diplomat and businessman. Secchia served as the United States Ambassador to Italy from 1989 to 1993.-Career:... , Ambassador |
July 3, 1989 | January 20, 1993 |
| Reginald Bartholomew Reginald Bartholomew Reginald Bartholomew is an American diplomat and former United States Ambassador to Lebanon , Spain , and Italy . He is a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and Council on Foreign Relations. He is also a former member of the United States National Security Council... , Ambassador |
October 14, 1993 | September 28, 1997 |
| Thomas M. Foglietta Thomas M. Foglietta Thomas Michael "Tom" Foglietta was United States Ambassador to Italy and anAmerican politician from the state of Pennsylvania, most notable for his time in the House of Representatives from 1981 to 1997.... , Ambassador |
December 11, 1997 | March 1, 2001 |
| Melvin Floyd Sembler Mel Sembler Melvin Floyd Sembler is former United States Ambassador to Italy , and former Ambassador to Australia and Nauru . He has also served as Chairman of the Board of the Sembler Company, which develops and manages shopping centers, and co-founder of Straight, Inc., a controversial drug-treatment center... , Ambassador |
December 10, 2001 | July 26, 2005 |
| Ronald P. Spogli Ronald P. Spogli Ronald P. Spogli is the former United States Ambassador to Italy and to San Marino. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 30, 2005, after being nominated by President George W. Bush on June 9. He was preceded by Mel Sembler as Ambassador to Italy and is the first American ambassador to San... , Ambassador |
August 12, 2005 | February 6, 2009 |
| David H. Thorne, Ambassador | August 17, 2009 | Incumbent |
See also
- Italian Embassy, Washington, D.C.
- Italy – United States relations
- Foreign relations of ItalyForeign relations of ItalySince its unification in 1861, Italy has been one of the most important and influential European countries. Its major allies are the United States, the other NATO countries , and the European Union...
- Ambassadors of the United States