George A. Garrett Explained

George A. Garrett
Office:United States Envoy to Ireland
President:Harry S. Truman
Term Start:July 28, 1947
Term End:April 18, 1950
Predecessor:David Gray
Successor:post ended
Office1:United States Ambassador to Ireland
President1:Harry S. Truman
Term Start1:April 18, 1950
Term End1:May 27, 1951
Predecessor1:post created
Successor1:Francis P. Matthews
Birth Date:5 August 1888
Birth Place:La Crosse, Wisconsin, US
Death Place:Washington, D.C., US
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:University of Chicago
Spouse:Ethel Shields Darlington
Children:1
Allegiance: United States
Battles:World War I

George Angus Garrett (August 5, 1888 – September 29, 1971) was an American investment banker and diplomat.[1] In April 1947, he was appointed minister to Ireland; in 1950, he became the first United States Ambassador to Ireland, a position he held until May 1951.[2]

Early life

Garrett was born on August 5, 1888, in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Education

He first attended Cornell University, before graduating in 1910 from the University of Chicago.

Career

During World War I he served in the United States Army.[3] As a civilian he pursued a career as a stockbroker. In 1932, Garrett was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

In April 1947, Garrett was appointed minister to Ireland by President Harry S. Truman,[4] and became the last US chief of mission in Ireland with the formal title of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. In 1950, the post was raised to the level of ambassador, and Garrett was again appointed by Truman,[5] becoming the first US chief of mission in Ireland with the formal title of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

Although Garrett's relations with Ireland's Taoiseach (prime minister) Éamon de Valera were not unfriendly, he made no secret of his pleasure when de Valera was replaced in 1948 by John A. Costello, for whom Garrett had the greatest admiration, and whom he thought a more reliable friend to the United States.[6]

Death

Garrett died on September 29, 1971,[7] and was interred at the Washington National Cathedral.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: City Native, Ex-Diplomat, Capital Civic Leader, Dies . limited . . . September 30, 1971 . April 15, 2017.
  2. Web site: George Angus Garrett (1888–1971) . history.state.gov . April 14, 2017.
  3. Web site: George A. Garrett Papers, 1947-1960 . digicoll.library.wisc.edu . April 22, 2017.
  4. News: Minister To Ireland Named . . limited . The Evening Independent . . April 7, 1947 . April 15, 2017.
  5. News: U. S. MINISTER TO IRELAND NAMED AMBASSADOR . . limited . The Evening Sun . . February 24, 1950 . April 15, 2017.
  6. Book: McCullagh, David . The Reluctant Taoiseach: A Biography of John A. Costello . . 2010 . 978-0717146468 . 333.
  7. News: Ambassador dies . . limited . The Morning News . . September 30, 1971 . April 15, 2017.