Albert Rhodes (diplomat)

Albert Rhodes (February 1, 1840 – April 5, 1894) was an American diplomat and author. He was the U.S. Consul in Jerusalem and several European cities.

Early life

Rhodes was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 1, 1840. He was educated at the academy in Elder's Ridge, a small village in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, and entered the consular service.[1]

Diplomatic career

Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity, first as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies. As the first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation.[4] Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat."[5] To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."[6]

Franklin became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies.[7] With two partners he published the Pennsylvania Chronicle, a newspaper that was known for its revolutionary sentiment In 1866 he was appointed Consul in Rotterdam, and he served briefly as Chargé d'affaires in the absence of a Minister. Rhodes served until being recalled in 1869.[2][3]

He served as U.S. Commercial Agent in Rouen, France, and was then appointed U.S. Consul, where he served from 1877 to 1883.[4]

Rhodes was then transferred to Elberfeld, Germany, where he served until 1885.[5]

In retirement Rhodes resided in Paris, France and New York City.[6][7]

Career as an author

Albert Rhodes was a frequent contributor to magazines, including The Galaxy,[8] McBride's,[9] Lippincott's,[10] The Century,[11] and Scribner's Magazine.[12]

Rhodes also authored several works of both fiction and nonfiction, including: Jerusalem As It Is (1865);[13] The French at Home (1875);[14] Monsieur at Home (1885);[15] and Ruses de Guerre (also called A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing) (1892).[16]

Death

Rhodes died in New York City on April 5, 1894.[17][18]

References

  1. ↑ James Grant Wilson, John Fiske, Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Volume 5, 1888, page 231
  2. ↑ Buffalo Evening Courier, Senate Confirmations, July 2, 1866
  3. ↑ United States Congress, Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States, Volume 17, 1901, page 142
  4. ↑ United States Congress, Journal of the Senate, Volume 46, 1901, page 389
  5. ↑ United States Congress, Journal of the United States Senate, Memorial of Charles Foster, 1890, page 7
  6. ↑ Oscar Fay Adams, A Dictionary of American Authors, 1904, page 313
  7. ↑ Thomas Spencer Baynes, William Harrison De Puy, The Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 20, 1895, page 918
  8. ↑ Chicago Tribune, The Galaxy: Love's Last Hour, September 22, 1872
  9. ↑ McBride's magazine, The Chinese at Beaver Falls, by Albert Rhodes, June 1877, page 708
  10. ↑ Advertisement, Lippincott's Magazine, Scribner's magazine, Volume 24, May 24, 1877, page 312
  11. ↑ Boston Globe, A Lesson for Literary Aspirants, March 31, 1874
  12. ↑ New York Times, Diplomatic and Consular Service, November 26, 1876
  13. ↑ Albert Rhodes, Jerusalem As Is Is, 1865, title page
  14. ↑ Albert Rhodes, The French at Home, 1875, title page
  15. ↑ Albert Rhodes, Monsieur at Home, 1885, title page
  16. ↑ Albert Rhodes, Ruses de Guerre, 1892, title page
  17. ↑ New York City Deaths, 1892-1902, entry for Albert Rhodes (certificate 11741), accessed December 11, 2012
  18. ↑ The Lounger, The Critic magazine, Volume 21, Number 636 (April 28, 1894), page 289
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
John A. Dix		 U.S. Minister to the Netherlands
1869–1869 		Succeeded by
Hugh Ewing
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