George A. Garrett

For other people with the same name, see George Garrett.
George A. Garrett
Garrett in 1938
United States Envoy to Ireland
In office
July 28, 1947 – April 18, 1950
PresidentHarry S. Truman
Preceded byDavid Gray
Succeeded bypost ended
United States Ambassador to Ireland
In office
April 18, 1950 – May 27, 1951
PresidentHarry S. Truman
Preceded bypost created
Succeeded byFrancis P. Matthews
Personal details
Born(1888-08-05)August 5, 1888
La Crosse, Wisconsin, US
DiedSeptember 29, 1971(1971-09-29) (aged 83)
Washington, D.C., US
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseEthel Shields Darlington
Children1
Alma materUniversity of Chicago
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Battles/warsWorld 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's former house in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

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.[1]

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.[2] 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.[2]

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.

References

  1. ^ a b "City Native, Ex-Diplomat, Capital Civic Leader, Dies". La Crosse Tribune. La Crosse, Wisconsin. September 30, 1971. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "George Angus Garrett (1888–1971)". history.state.gov. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  3. ^ "George A. Garrett Papers, 1947-1960". digicoll.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  4. ^ "Minister To Ireland Named". The Evening Independent. Massillon, Ohio. AP. April 7, 1947. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  5. ^ "U. S. MINISTER TO IRELAND NAMED AMBASSADOR". The Evening Sun. Hanover, Pennsylvania. AP. February 24, 1950. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  6. ^ McCullagh, David (2010). The Reluctant Taoiseach: A Biography of John A. Costello. Gill & MacMillan. p. 333. ISBN 978-0717146468.
  7. ^ "Ambassador dies". The Morning News. Wilmington, Delaware. UPI. September 30, 1971. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Envoy to Ireland
1947–1950 		Succeeded by
post ended
Preceded by
post created
 United States Ambassador to Ireland
1950–1951 		Succeeded by