United States Ambassador to Romania
Encyclopedia
A United States diplomatic representative to Romania has existed since 1880. The United States
formally recognized Romania
in 1878, following the Treaty of Berlin; diplomatic relations were opened in 1880, and American diplomats were sent to the country. Until the early 20th century, most ambassadors to Romania were also responsible for Greece
, Serbia
, and occasionally Bulgaria
. No US Embassy was established in Romania for some time, ambassadors typically operated out of Athens
until about 1905, at which point an embassy was established in Bucharest
.
The main US embassy in Romania remains in Bucharest and is located at Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9. For several years during World War II
, following the death of Ambassador Franklin Mott Gunther there was no American ambassador to Romania. The latter country became an Axis
country, and declared war on the Allies
(see Romania during World War II
). Preceded by American representation in the Allied Commission
after 1945, the diplomatic mission was reopened in 1947. In 1994, the US embassy was expanded, and a branch office was opened in Cluj-Napoca
. The current ambasador is Mark H. Gitenstein.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
formally recognized Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
in 1878, following the Treaty of Berlin; diplomatic relations were opened in 1880, and American diplomats were sent to the country. Until the early 20th century, most ambassadors to Romania were also responsible for Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, and occasionally Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
. No US Embassy was established in Romania for some time, ambassadors typically operated out of Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
until about 1905, at which point an embassy was established in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
.
The main US embassy in Romania remains in Bucharest and is located at Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9. For several years 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...
, following the death of Ambassador Franklin Mott Gunther there was no American ambassador to Romania. The latter country became an Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
country, and declared war on the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
(see Romania during World War II
Romania during World War II
Following the outbreak of World War II on 1 September 1939, the Kingdom of Romania officially adopted a position of neutrality. However, the rapidly changing situation in Europe during 1940, as well as domestic political upheaval, undermined this stance. Fascist political forces such as the Iron...
). Preceded by American representation in the Allied Commission
Allied Commission
Following the termination of hostilities in World War II, the Allied Powers were in control of the defeated Axis countries. Anticipating the defeat of Germany and Japan, they had already set up the European Advisory Commission and a proposed Far Eastern Advisory Commission to make recommendations...
after 1945, the diplomatic mission was reopened in 1947. In 1994, the US embassy was expanded, and a branch office was opened in Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca , commonly known as Cluj, is the fourth most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest , Budapest and Belgrade...
. The current ambasador is Mark H. Gitenstein.
Ambassadors
- Eugene SchuylerEugene SchuylerEugene Schuyler was a nineteenth-century American scholar, writer, explorer and diplomat. Schuyler was of the first three Americans to earn a Ph.D. from an American university; and the first American translator of Ivan Turgenev and Lev Tolstoi...
- Title: Diplomatic Agent/Consul General
- Appointed: June 11, 1880
- Presented credentials: December 14, 1880
- Terminated mission: Presented recall, September 7, 1884
- Walker Fearn
- Title: Minister Resident/Consul General
- Appointed: April 18, 1885
- Presented credentials: October 20, 1885
- Terminated mission: Relinquished charge at Athens October 24, 1899
- A. Loudon Snowdon
- Title: Minister Resident/Consul GeneralPromoted to Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: July 1, 1889
- Presented credentials: November 25, 1889
- Terminated mission: Left Sinaia, August 18–25, 1892
- Truxtun BealeTruxtun BealeTruxtun Beale was an American diplomat.-Biography:Beale was born in San Francisco to Edward Fitzgerald Beale and Mary Engle Edwards; his siblings were Mary and Emily . He was named for his grand-father Commodore Thomas Truxtun...
- Title: Minister Resident/Consul GeneralPromoted to Minister Resident/Consul General and later Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary/Consul General
- Appointed: July 22, 1892
- Presented credentials: Served at Athens, but did not present credentials in Romania under any of his commissions, all of which were to Romania, Serbia, and Greece.
- Terminated mission: 1893
- Eben AlexanderEben AlexanderEben Alexander was an American scholar, educator, dean and ambassador.Alexander attended the University of Tennessee for two years, entered Yale in 1869, and graduated from Yale in 1873 with an A.B. He was initiated into Yale's Skull and Bones in 1873...
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary/Consul General
- Appointed: April 7, 1893
- Presented credentials: June 15, 1894
- Terminated mission: Relinquished charge at Athens, August 1, 1897
- William Woodville RockhillWilliam Woodville RockhillWilliam Woodville Rockhill was a United States diplomat, best known as the author of the U.S.'s Open Door Policy for China and as the first American to learn to speak Tibetan and therefore as the father of modern U.S...
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary/Consul GeneralLater recommissioned as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: July 8, 1897
- Presented credentials: May 18, 1898
- Terminated mission: Left Athens, April 27, 1899
- Arthur S. HardyArthur Sherburne HardyArthur Sherburne Hardy was an American engineer, educator, editor, diplomat, novelist, and poet.-Early life and education:...
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: April 18, 1899
- Presented credentials: July 14, 1900
- Terminated mission: Presented recall March 13, 1901
- Charles S. Francis
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: December 20, 1900
- Presented credentials: October 16, 1901
- Terminated mission: Relinquished charge at Athens, December 24, 1902
- Henry L. Wilson
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: October 13, 1902, Declined appointment.
- John B. Jackson
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: October 13, 1902
- Presented credentials: April 7, 1903
- Terminated mission: Presented recall July 25, 1905
- John W. RiddleJohn W. RiddleJohn Wallace Riddle was an American diplomat. His first diplomatic assignment was as agent/consul general in Egypt . He was then sent to Romania and Serbia in 1905 to serve as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary , followed by postings as U.S. ambassador to Russia and ambassador to...
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: March 8, 1905
- Presented credentials: October 3, 1905
- Terminated mission: Left post January 23, 1907
- Horace G. KnowlesHorace G. KnowlesHorace Greeley Knowles was an American attorney and diplomat, who served as an ambassador under three U.S. presidents between 1907 and 1913.-Early life:...
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: January 16, 1907
- Presented credentials: May 7, 1907
- Terminated mission: Left post February 4, 1909
- Huntington WilsonHuntington WilsonFrancis Mairs Huntington Wilson was a United States diplomat and author who served as United States Assistant Secretary of State from 1909 to 1913.-Biography:...
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: December 17, 1908 Took oath of office, but did not proceed to post
- Spencer F. Eddy
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: January 11, 1909
- Presented credentials: July 9, 1909
- Terminated mission: Left post September 29, 1909
- John R. Carter
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: September 25, 1909
- Presented credentials: November 14, 1909
- Terminated mission: Left post October 24, 1911.
- John B. Jackson
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: August 12, 1911
- Presented credentials: December 24, 1911
- Terminated mission: Presented recall October 28, 1913
- Charles J. Vopicka - Political Appointee
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: September 11, 1913
- Presented credentials: November 27, 1913
- Terminated mission: Left post July 10, 1920
- Peter Augustus JayPeter Augustus JayPeter Augustus Jay was the eldest son of New York's only native Founding Father, John Jay. Peter was one of 6 children born to John Jay and Sarah Livingston Jay, and one of 2 boys with 4 sisters: Susan ; Maria , Ann and Sarah Louisa Peter Augustus Jay (January 24, 1776 - February 22, 1843) was...
- Career FSO- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: April 18, 1921
- Presented credentials: June 30, 1921
- Terminated mission: Left post May 9, 1925
- William S. Culbertson - Political Appointee
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: April 28, 1925
- Presented credentials: December 12, 1925
- Terminated mission: Left post April 15, 1928
- Charles S. Wilson - Career FSO
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: June 23, 1928
- Presented credentials: October 13, 1928
- Terminated mission: Left post August 2, 1933
- Alvin Mansfield OwlseyAlvin M. OwsleyAlvin Mansfield Owsley was an American diplomat, lawyer, and soldier.-Personal life:Owsley was born and raised in Denton, Texas, son of Alvin Clark and Sallie Owsley. He remained in Texas with his family while working for his elementary and secondary education, and also while attending a term at...
- Political Appointee- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: June 13, 1933
- Presented credentials: September 15, 1933
- Terminated mission: Left post June 16, 1935
- Leland Harrison - Career FSO
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: May 15, 1935
- Presented credentials: July 24, 1935
- Terminated mission: Left post September 3, 1937
- Franklin Mott Gunther - Career FSO
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: July 31, 1937
- Presented credentials: October 23, 1937
- Terminated mission: Romania declared war on U.S., December 12, 1941, Gunther died at Bucharest, December 22, 1941.
- Rudolf E. Schoenfeld - Career FSO
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: July 28, 1947
- Presented credentials: September 25, 1947
- Terminated mission: Presented new credentials on March 11, 1948, when Romania became a republic; left post May 24, 1950.
- James W. Gantenbein - Career FSO
- Title: Chargé d'Affaires ad interim
- Presented credentials: September 1950
- Terminated mission: November 1952
- Harold Shantz - Career FSO
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: September 27, 1952
- Presented credentials: November 20, 1952
- Terminated mission: Left post August 30, 1955
- Robert H. ThayerRobert H. ThayerRobert Helyer Thayer was an American lawyer, naval officer and diplomat.-Early life:Thayer was born in Southborough, Massachusetts, the son of Rev. William Greenough Thayer , headmaster of St. Mark's School from 1894–1930, and Violet Otis Thayer . He attended St...
- Political Appointee- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: August 17, 1955
- Presented credentials: November 10, 1955
- Terminated mission: Left post December 12, 1957
- Clifton R. WhartonClifton Reginald Wharton, Sr.Clifton Reginald Wharton, Sr. was an American diplomat, and the first African American diplomat to become an ambassador by rising through the ranks of the Foreign Service rather than by political appointment such as Frederick Douglass...
- Career FSO- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: February 5, 1958
- Presented credentials: March 7, 1958
- Terminated mission: Left post October 21, 1960
- William A. Crawford - Career FSO
- Title: Envoy Extraordinary/Minister Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: November 28, 1961
- Presented credentials: December 24, 1964
- Terminated mission: Left post October 10, 1965
- Richard H. Davis - Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: September 24, 1965
- Presented credentials: December 16, 1965
- Terminated mission: Left post August 6, 1969
- Leonard C. Meeker - Political Appointee
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: July 22, 1969
- Presented credentials: September 16, 1969
- Terminated mission: Left post May 10, 1973
- Harry G. Barnes, Jr.Harry G. Barnes, Jr.Harry G. Barnes, Jr. in St. Paul, Minnesota, is an American diplomat, a former Foreign Service Officer who served as US ambassador to Romania , India and Chile...
- Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: December 19, 1973
- Presented credentials: March 14, 1974
- Terminated mission: Left post November 10, 1977
- O. Rudolph Aggrey - Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: October 21, 1977
- Presented credentials: November 22, 1977
- Terminated mission: Left post July 11, 1981
- David B. Funderburk - Political Appointee
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: October 2, 1981
- Presented credentials: October 13, 1981
- Terminated mission: Left post May 13, 1985
- Roger KirkRoger KirkRoger Kirk may refer to:* Roger Kirk * Roger Kirk * Roger Kirk -See also:* Roger Kirkby, English soldier and politician* Roger Kirkman...
- Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: November 15, 1985
- Presented credentials: November 29, 1985
- Terminated mission: Left post July 5, 1989
- Alan Green, Jr. - Political Appointee
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: October 10, 1989
- Presented credentials: December 7, 1989
- Terminated mission: Left post January 11, 1992
- John R. Davis, Jr. - Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: December 2, 1991
- Presented credentials: March 11, 1992
- Terminated mission: Left post August 9, 1994
- Alfred H. MosesAlfred H. MosesAlfred H. Moses is an American attorney and diplomat who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Romania.Alfred Moses was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. After graduating from Baltimore City College , he attended Dartmouth College from which he received his B.A. degree in 1951...
- Political Appointee- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: September 29, 1994
- Presented credentials: December 14, 1994
- Terminated mission: Left post August 11, 1997
- James Carew RosapepeJames RosapepeJames Carew Rosapepe is an American politician from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. He is currently serving in his 1st term in the Maryland State Senate, representing Maryland's District 21 in Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties....
- Political Appointee- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: November 10, 1997
- Presented credentials: February 4, 1998
- Terminated mission: Left post March 1, 2001
- Michael E. Guest - Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: August 3, 2001
- Presented credentials: September 24, 2001
- Terminated mission: July 8, 2004
- Jack Dyer Crouch II - Political Appointee
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: May 25, 2004
- Presented credentials: July 16, 2004
- Terminated mission: February 28, 2005
- Nicholas F. TaubmanNicholas F. TaubmanNicholas Frank Taubman is a United States businessman, politician, and ambassador. He served as the United States Ambassador to Romania 2005–08.-Early life:Nicholas Taubman was born 1935 in Roanoke, Virginia to parents Arthur and Grace...
- Political Appointee- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: November 29, 2005
- Presented credentials: December 5, 2005
- Terminated mission: Left post December 3, 2008
- Mark GitensteinMark GitensteinMark Henry Gitenstein is the United States Ambassador to Romania. He was nominated by President Barack Obama on June 11, 2009 and confirmed by the United States Senate on July 8, 2009....
- Political Appointee- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: July 29, 2009
- Presented credentials: September 2, 2009
- Terminated mission: Incumbent
See also
- Romanian Embassy, Washington, D.C.
- Romania – United States relations
- Foreign relations of RomaniaForeign relations of Romania-Europe: European Union :Romania joined the European Union on January 1, 2007. Romania also declared its public support for Turkey and Croatia joining the European Union. Romania shares a privileged economic relation with Turkey...
- Ambassadors of the United States