Edwin Vernon Morgan (February 22, 1865 – April 16, 1934) was an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...

diplomat. He served as

United States Ambassador Ambassadors of the United States are persons nominated by the president to serve as the United States' diplomatic representatives to foreign nations, international organizations, and as ambassadors-at-large. Under Article II, Section 2 of th ...

Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

,Edwin Vernon Morgan (1865–1934) US Embassy, Seoul
Former Chiefs of Mission in Korea - from 1883; accessed Dec 6, 2015 and served as Minister to Cuba, Paraguay,

Uruguay Uruguay, officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, is a country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast, while bordering the Río de la Plata to the south and the A ...

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

, and

Korea Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...

Early life and education

Edwin Vernon Morgan was born on February 22, 1886 in Aurora, New York, the son of Margeret (née Bogart) and Henry A. Morgan, and the grandson of Congressman

Edwin Barber Morgan Edwin Barber Morgan (May 2, 1806 – October 13, 1881) was an entrepreneur and politician from the Finger Lakes region of western New York. He was the first president of Wells Fargo & Company, founder of the United States Express Company, and di ...

. He attended

Phillips Academy Phillips Academy (also known as PA, Phillips Academy Andover, or simply Andover) is a Private school, private, Mixed-sex education, co-educational college-preparatory school for Boarding school, boarding and Day school, day students located in ...

, and then

Harvard University Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...

, earning a bachelor's degree in 1890, and a master's degree in 1891. He continued his post-graduate studies at the

University of Berlin The Humboldt University of Berlin (, abbreviated HU Berlin) is a public research university in the central borough of Mitte in Berlin, Germany. The university was established by Frederick William III on the initiative of Wilhelm von Humbol ...

. He returned to Harvard, where he taught history for two years. Then, from 1895-1898, he taught at

Adelbert College Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is a Private university, private research university in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It was established in 1967 by a merger between Western Reserve University and the Case Institute of Technology. Case ...

Cleveland Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–U.S. maritime border and approximately west of the Ohio-Pennsylvania st ...

, Ohio. Morgan next entered the

United States Foreign Service The United States Foreign Service is the primary personnel system used by the diplomatic service of the United States federal government, under the aegis of the United States Department of State. It consists of over 13,000 professionals carr ...

, beginning his diplomatic career in 1899 as secretary to the Samoan High Commissioner.

Diplomatic career

Morgan's diplomatic service commenced in 1899 when he was appointed as secretary to the U.S. High Commissioner in

Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa and known until 1997 as Western Samoa, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu), two smaller, inhabited ...

. He later served as secretary to the U.S. Legation in Korea from 1899 to 1900. His tenure in Korea continued as he was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in 1905, presenting his credentials on June 26, 1905. However, following Japan's assumption of control over Korean foreign relations in November 1905, Morgan closed the U.S. Legation and departed Korea in December 1905.Edwin Vernon Morgan (1865–1934) US Embassy, Seoul
Former Chiefs of Mission in Korea - from 1883; accessed Dec 6, 2015 In 1906, Morgan was appointed Minister to

Cuba Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...

, presenting his credentials on March 1, 1906. He served in this capacity until January 5, 1910. Subsequently, he was concurrently appointed Minister to

and

Paraguay Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the Argentina–Paraguay border, south and southwest, Brazil to the Brazil–Paraguay border, east and northeast, and Boli ...

in December 1909, presenting his credentials to both nations on March 31 and June 29, 1910, respectively. He remained in these posts until July 8, 1911, residing in Montevideo. Morgan's diplomatic assignments continued with his appointment as Minister to Portugal in May 1911, presenting his credentials on August 3, 1911, and serving until February 11, 1912. In 1912, Morgan was appointed by President

William Howard Taft William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857March 8, 1930) served as the 27th president of the United States from 1909 to 1913 and the tenth chief justice of the United States from 1921 to 1930. He is the only person to have held both offices. ...

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or so ...

. He held this post until his retirement in 1933, making him one of the longest-serving American diplomats in that country. During his tenure, Morgan developed a detailed understanding of Brazilian society, literature, and political affairs, and was noted for his engagement with various aspects of national life. His extensive experience in Brazil contributed to his reputation as a well-informed observer of the country's cultural and social dynamics. Morgan advocated for improved transportation and communication links between the United States and South America, particularly emphasizing the importance of more efficient mail and passenger services between the two regions. He viewed these improvements as essential to strengthening diplomatic and commercial relations. During his time in Brazil, he was also involved in the negotiation of trade arrangements, including agreements related to coffee and wheat exchanges between the two countries. After 21 years, Morgan retired on August 23, 1933. In recognition of his diplomatic service and long-standing presence in Brazil, Morgan was awarded the

Order of the Southern Cross The National Order of the Southern Cross () is a Brazilian Orders, decorations, and medals of Brazil, order of chivalry founded by List of monarchs of Brazil, Emperor Pedro I of Brazil, Pedro I on 1 December 1822. The order aimed to commemorate ...

by the Brazilian government in 1933.

Retirement and death

In 1933, Morgan retired to Petropolis, Brazil. Morgan died at home on April 16, 1934. His body was returned to the United States for burial.

References

External links

1865 births 1934 deaths 19th-century American diplomats Ambassadors of the United States to Korea Ambassadors of the United States to Brazil Ambassadors of the United States to Cuba Ambassadors of the United States to Uruguay Ambassadors of the United States to Paraguay Ambassadors of the United States to Portugal Case Western Reserve University faculty Harvard University alumni Phillips Academy alumni People from Aurora, Cayuga County, New York United States Foreign Service personnel {{US-diplomat-stub