Ray Atherton

Ray Atherton (March 28, 1883 – March 14, 1960) was a United States diplomat who served as the first United States Ambassador to Canada (1943–48).

Ray Atherton
1st United States Ambassador to Canada
In office
November 19, 1943  August 30, 1948
PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt
Harry S. Truman
Preceded byHimself (as Minister)
Succeeded byLaurence Steinhardt
United States Minister to Luxembourg
In office
September 10, 1943  October 14, 1943[lower-alpha 1]
PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded byJay Pierrepont Moffat
Succeeded byRudolf Emil Schoenfeld (acting)
8th United States Minister to Canada
In office
August 3, 1943  November 19, 1943
PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded byJay Pierrepont Moffat
Succeeded byHimself (as Ambassador)
United States Minister to Denmark
In office
September 8, 1939  April 9, 1940[lower-alpha 2]
PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded byAlvin M. Owsley
Succeeded byR. Borden Reams (acting)
United States Minister to Bulgaria
In office
October 21, 1937  July 5, 1939
PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded byFrederick A. Sterling
Succeeded byGeorge Howard Earle III
Personal details
Born(1883-03-28)March 28, 1883
Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedMarch 14, 1960(1960-03-14) (aged 76)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Cause of deathCerebral hemorrhage
Spouse(s)Constance Crowninshield Coolidge
Maude Hunnewell
EducationHarvard College
ProfessionDiplomat

Biography

Ray Atherton was born in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1883.[1] He was educated at Harvard College, graduating with a B.A. in 1905.[1] He then moved to Paris to study architecture, becoming known as the "beau of the Beaux-Arts".[1] Returning to Boston, Atherton spent time working as a banker and as an architect.[1] [2]

In 1917, Atherton joined the U.S. diplomatic service as a secretary of legation in Peking. He was married for a time to Constance Crowninshield Coolidge, a Boston Brahmin, an American expatriate and French countess. Constance didn't care what others thought about her. She loved anything risky and was addicted to gambling.[3]:214 Atherton also served on the Philippine Commission and at the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C.[1] He was then posted to Athens and in 1923-24, served as ad interim United States Ambassador to Greece.[1][2]

Atherton then moved to London and worked at the U.S. Embassy in London for twelve years, first as secretary, and then, from 1930 to 1937 as counselor.[1] When Cordell Hull became United States Secretary of State in 1933, he was impressed by Atherton and came to rely on his judgment on European and Middle Eastern affairs. Atherton also was an adviser at the London Naval Conferences of 1930 and 1935.[1][2]

In 1937, President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Atherton Minister Plenipotentiary to Bulgaria.[1] Atherton presented his credentials on October 21, 1937, and served there until July 5, 1939.[1] He then became Minister Plenipotentiary to Denmark, serving there from September 8, 1939 until June 5, 1940. As such, he was present in Denmark at the time of the German invasion of Denmark.[1][2]

Cordell Hull then recalled Atherton to Washington, D.C., where, as head of the European Division, he became one of Hull's closest advisers.[1] It was Atherton who, on the morning December 12, 1941, received Germany's official declaration of war delivered by German Charge d'Affaires Hans Thomsen after Hull refused to see him.[4]

In June 1943, the United States and Canada agreed to upgrade the state of their mutual diplomatic missions from legation to embassy.[1] Atherton thus became the first United States Ambassador to Canada, presenting his credentials to Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone, the Governor General of Canada, on August 3, 1943 and serving until August 30, 1948. He was also accredited as minister to the government in exile of Denmark, which was established in Canada during the German occupation of Denmark.[1] Atherton was also named U.S. minister to the government in exile of Luxembourg, which was also under German occupation.[1]

In August 1948, Atherton was accredited as an alternate U.S. delegate to the United Nations General Assembly, which was then meeting in Paris.[1]


Personal

Atherton was the son of George Edward Atherton (1845-1905) and Isabelle Rea. His grandfather was Samuel Atherton, Massachusetts businessman and politician.

He was married to the former Maude Hunnewell. Together they had a son, John, and a daughter, Maud Isabel Atherton Wood.[1]

Atherton died in Washington, D.C., of a cerebral hemorrhage on March 14, 1960.[1]

Ancestry

Atherton is a direct descendant of Major General Humphrey Atherton. [5]

Notes

  1. The Luxembourg government in exile moved to London, thereby terminating Atherton's appointment.
  2. Although Atherton would remain at his post until June 5, 1940, the German invasion of Denmark terminated Atherton's accreditation to the Danish government.

References

  1. "Ray Atherton, 76, Diplomat, is Dead", New York Times, March 17, 1960
  2. "Ray Atherton (1883-1960)". U.S. Department Of State. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  3. Geoffrey Wolff (2003). Black Sun: The Brief Transit and Violent Eclipse of Harry Crosby. New York Review of Books. ISBN 1-59017-066-0.
  4. Hulen, Bertram D. (December 12, 1941). "Hull Very Frigid to Visiting Envoys". New York Times. p. 3.
  5. "Atherton One Name Study - Ray Atherton - US Ambassador".


Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Frederick A. Sterling
United States Ambassador to Bulgaria
October 21, 1937 July 5, 1939
Succeeded by
George Howard Earle III
Preceded by
Alvin M. Owsley
United States Ambassador to Denmark
September 8, 1939 June 5, 1940
Succeeded by
Monnett Bain Davis
Preceded by
Jay Pierrepont Moffat
United States Ambassador to Canada
August 3, 1943 August 30, 1948
Succeeded by
Laurence Steinhardt
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