List of ambassadors of the United States to the United Kingdom

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Ambassador of the United States
to the United Kingdom
U.S. Department of State official seal.svg
Seal of the United States Department of State
Flag of a United States ambassador.svg
Flag of the United States Ambassador
Philip T. Reeker.jpg
Incumbent
Philip T. Reeker
as Chargé d'Affaires, ad interim
since August 1, 2021
US Department of State
Embassy of the United States, London
StyleHis or Her Excellency (formal)
Mr. or Madam Ambassador (informal)
Reports toUnited States Secretary of State
ResidenceWinfield House
SeatLondon, United Kingdom
AppointerPresident of the United States
with the advice and consent of the Senate
Term lengthAt the pleasure of the President
Inaugural holderJohn Adams
(as Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of St. James's)
Formation1785
WebsiteU.S. Embassy – London

The United States ambassador to the United Kingdom (known formally as the ambassador of the United States of America to the Court of St. James's)[1] is the official representative of the president of the United States and the American government to the queen and government of the United Kingdom.[2] The position is temporarily being held by Philip T. Reeker, who became the chargé d'affaires on August 1, 2021, after Yael Lempert left the post.[3]

The position is regarded as one of the most prestigious posts in the United States Foreign Service due to the "Special Relationship" between the United States and United Kingdom.[4] The ambassadorship has been held by various notable politicians, including five who would later become presidents: John Adams, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren and James Buchanan. However, the modern tendency of American presidents (of both parties) is to appoint keen political fundraisers from previous presidential campaigns, despite the importance and prestige of the office.[5]

The ambassador and executive staff work at the American Embassy in Nine Elms, London. The official residence of the ambassador is Winfield House in Regent's Park.[1]

Duties[]

The ambassador's main duty is to present US policies to the government of the United Kingdom and its people, as well as report British policies and views to the federal government of the United States. He or she serves as a primary channel of communication between the two nations and plays an important role in treaty negotiations.

The ambassador is the head of the United States' consular service in the United Kingdom. As well as directing diplomatic activity in support of trade, the ambassador is ultimately responsible for visa services and for the provision of consular support to American citizens in the UK. He or she also oversees cultural relations between the two countries.

List of US chiefs of mission to the Court of St James's[]

Ministers (1785–1811)[]

John Adams is referred to as the first "ambassador".[6] He is also referred to as the first "minister plenipotentiary".[7] Plenipotentiary means "having full power"; a minister that has power to act for their country in all matters.[8]

Name Portrait Appointment Presentation Termination Appointer Notes
John Adams Gilbert Stuart, John Adams, c. 1800-1815, NGA 42933.jpg February 24, 1785 June 1, 1785 February 20, 1788   Congress Second president of the United States[a]
Thomas Pinckney Thomas Pinckney.jpg January 12, 1792 August 9, 1792 July 27, 1796   George Washington
Rufus King Gilbert Stuart - Portrait of Rufus King (1819-1820) - Google Art Project.jpg May 20, 1796 July 27, 1796 May 16, 1803
James Monroe James Monroe (1758-1831).jpg 1803 August 17, 1803 October 7, 1807   Thomas Jefferson Fifth president of the United States
William Pinkney Williampinkney (1).jpg February 26, 1808 April 27, 1808 May 7, 1811
Jonathan Russell July 27, 1811 November 15, 1811 June 18, 1812 James Madison [b]

Ministers (1815–1893)[]

Diplomatic relations with Great Britain were restored after the War of 1812. The Congress of Vienna (1815) established a uniform system of diplomatic rank. Under that system, the highest rank of "ambassador" was a personal representative of a sovereign, and the next rank of "minister", represented a government. As a republic, the United States maintained diplomatic relations with Great Britain at the rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. The rank was colloquially known as Minister, and the position continued to be referred to as "United States Minister to Great Britain".

Name Portrait Appointment Presentation Termination Appointer Notes
John Quincy Adams George P.A. Healy - John Quincy Adams - Google Art Project.jpg April 28, 1814 June 8, 1815 May 14, 1817   James Madison Sixth president of the United States
Richard Rush Richard Rush engraving.png 1817 February 12, 1818 April 27, 1825 James Monroe
Rufus King Gilbert Stuart - Portrait of Rufus King (1819-1820) - Google Art Project.jpg May 5, 1825 November 11, 1825 June 16, 1826 John Quincy Adams
Albert Gallatin AlbertGallatin.jpeg May 10, 1826 September 1, 1826 October 4, 1827
William Beach Lawrence William Lawrence by J Cochran c 1820.jpg Nov 23, 1827 November 24, 1828 [10][11]
James Barbour BarbourT.jpg May 23, 1828 November 24, 1828 October 1, 1829
Louis McLane LMcLane.jpg 1829 October 12, 1829 June 13, 1831   Andrew Jackson
Martin Van Buren Martin Van Buren.jpg August 8, 1831 September 21, 1831 March 19, 1832 Eighth president of the United States
Aaron Vail July 13, 1832 July 13, 1836 [c]
Andrew Stevenson SpeakerStevenson.png March 16, 1836 July 13, 1836 October 21, 1841
Edward Everett Edward Everett.png 1841 December 16, 1841 August 8, 1845   William Henry Harrison
Louis McLane LMcLane.jpg 1845 August 8, 1845 August 18, 1846   James K. Polk
George Bancroft George Bancroft United States Secretary of Navy c. 1860.jpg September 9, 1846 November 12, 1846 August 31, 1849
Abbott Lawrence Abbott Lawrence.jpg August 20, 1849 October 20, 1849 October 12, 1852   Zachary Taylor
Joseph R. Ingersoll Appletons' Ingersoll Jared - Joseph Reed.jpg August 21, 1852 October 16, 1852 August 23, 1853 Millard Fillmore
James Buchanan James Buchanan.jpg April 11, 1853 August 23, 1853 March 15, 1856   Franklin Pierce Fifteenth president of the United States
George M. Dallas George Mifflin Dallas 1848.jpg February 4, 1856 April 4, 1856 May 16, 1861
Charles Francis Adams Sr. Charles Francis Adams.jpg March 20, 1861 May 16, 1861 May 13, 1868   Abraham Lincoln
Reverdy Johnson Reverdy Johnson.jpg June 12, 1868 September 14, 1868 May 13, 1869   Andrew Johnson
John Lothrop Motley John Lothrop Motley - Brady-Handy.jpg April 13, 1869 June 18, 1869 December 6, 1870   Ulysses S. Grant
Robert C. Schenck Robert C. Schenck.jpg December 22, 1870 June 23, 1871 March 3, 1876
Edwards Pierrepont Edwards Pierrepont Brady-Handy.tif May 22, 1876 July 11, 1876 December 22, 1877
John Welsh John Welsh 1805-1886.jpg November 9, 1877 December 22, 1877 August 14, 1879 Rutherford B. Hayes
James Russell Lowell Appletons' Lowell James Russell engraving.jpg January 26, 1880 March 11, 1880 May 19, 1885
Edward John Phelps Professor Edward J Phelps.jpg March 23, 1885 May 19, 1885 January 31, 1889   Grover Cleveland
Robert Todd Lincoln Robert Todd Lincoln - Harris and Ewing.jpg March 30, 1889 May 25, 1889 May 4, 1893   Benjamin Harrison

Ambassadors (1893–present)[]

Although France became a republic in 1870, the country continued to exchange ambassadors with other Great Powers. In 1893, the United States followed the French precedent and upgraded its relations with other Great Powers to the ambassadorial level. The United States Legation in London became the United States Embassy, and the United States Minister to Great Britain became the United States Ambassador to Great Britain.

Name Portrait Appointment Presentation Termination Appointer Notes
Thomas F. Bayard Thomas F. Bayard, Brady-Handy photo portrait, circa 1870-1880.jpg 1893 June 22, 1893 March 17, 1897   Grover Cleveland
John Hay John Hay, bw photo portrait, 1897.jpg 1897 May 3, 1897 September 12, 1898   William McKinley
Joseph Hodges Choate Joseph Hodges Choate cph.3b35057.jpg January 19, 1899 March 6, 1899 May 23, 1905
Whitelaw Reid Whitelaw Reid.jpg March 8, 1905 June 5, 1905 December 15, 1912 Theodore Roosevelt †
Walter Hines Page Walter Hines Page in 1917.jpg April 21, 1913 May 30, 1913 October 3, 1918   Woodrow Wilson
John W. Davis John William Davis.jpg November 21, 1918 December 18, 1918 March 9, 1921
George Brinton McClellan Harvey George Brinton McClellan Harvey (crop).jpg April 16, 1921 May 12, 1921 November 3, 1923   Warren G. Harding
Frank B. Kellogg FrankKellogg.jpg 1924 January 14, 1924 February 10, 1925 Calvin Coolidge
Alanson B. Houghton AlansonBHoughton.jpg February 24, 1925 April 27, 1925 March 28, 1929
Charles G. Dawes Chas G Dawes-H&E.jpg April 16, 1929 June 15, 1929 December 30, 1931 Herbert Hoover
Andrew W. Mellon AWMellon.jpg February 5, 1932 April 9, 1932 March 17, 1933
Robert Worth Bingham Robert-Worth-Bingham.jpg March 23, 1933 May 23, 1933 November 19, 1937   Franklin D. Roosevelt
Joseph P. Kennedy Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. 1938.jpg January 17, 1938 March 8, 1938 October 22, 1940
John G. Winant John Gilbert Winant.jpg February 11, 1941 March 1, 1941 April 10, 1946
W. Averell Harriman William Averell Harriman.jpg April 2, 1946 April 30, 1946 October 1, 1946 Harry S. Truman
Lewis W. Douglas Lewis Williams Douglas.jpg March 6, 1947 March 25, 1947 November 16, 1950
Walter S. Gifford Walter Sherman Gifford in 1925.jpg December 12, 1950 December 21, 1950 January 23, 1953
Winthrop W. Aldrich Winthrop Williams Aldrich - War Records of the Knickerbocker Club.jpg February 2, 1953 February 20, 1953 February 1, 1957   Dwight D. Eisenhower
John Hay Whitney February 11, 1957 February 28, 1957 January 14, 1961
David K. E. Bruce David K. E. Bruce.jpg February 22, 1961 March 17, 1961 March 20, 1969   John F. Kennedy
Walter Annenberg Walter Annenberg 1981.jpg March 14, 1969 April 29, 1969 October 30, 1974   Richard Nixon
Elliot Richardson ElliotLeeRichardson.jpg February 20, 1975 March 21, 1975 January 16, 1976 Gerald Ford
Anne Armstrong Anne Armstrong 1982.jpg January 29, 1976 March 17, 1976 March 3, 1977
Kingman Brewster, Jr. April 29, 1977 June 3, 1977 February 23, 1981   Jimmy Carter
John J. Louis, Jr. John Louis and Ronald Reagan in 1981.jpg May 7, 1981 May 27, 1981 November 7, 1983   Ronald Reagan
Charles H. Price II Charles H Price II.jpg November 11, 1983 December 20, 1983 February 28, 1989
Henry E. Catto, Jr. Ambassador Henry Catto speaks on his experiences as a diplomat (cropped).jpg April 14, 1989 May 17, 1989 March 13, 1991 George H. W. Bush
Raymond G. H. Seitz April 25, 1991 June 25, 1991 May 10, 1994
William J. Crowe, Jr. Adm William Crowe Jr.JPG May 13, 1994 June 2, 1994 September 20, 1997   Bill Clinton
Philip Lader Philip Lader.jpg August 1, 1997 September 22, 1997 February 28, 2001
William S. Farish III William S. Farish.gif July 12, 2001 August 1, 2001 June 11, 2004   George W. Bush
Robert H. Tuttle Robert Holmes Tuttle.jpg July 9, 2005 October 19, 2005 February 6, 2009
Louis Susman Louis Susman US State Dept photo.jpg July 13, 2009 October 13, 2009 April 3, 2013   Barack Obama
Matthew Barzun Matthew Winthrop Barzun.jpg August 6, 2013 December 4, 2013 January 18, 2017 [d]
Woody Johnson Robert Wood Johnson official portrait (cropped).jpg January 19, 2017 November 8, 2017 January 20, 2021   Donald Trump [14]
Yael Lempert Yael Lempert.jpg January 20, 2021 January 20, 2021 August 1, 2021   Joe Biden Chargé d'Affaires[3]
Philip Reeker Philip T. Reeker.jpg July 15, 2021 August 1, 2021   Joe Biden Chargé d'Affaires[15]
Jane Hartley (appointment pending) JaneDHartley.jpg   Joe Biden

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ John Adams became so frustrated with his cool reception at the court that he closed the legation in 1788 and the post remained vacant for four years.[9]
  2. ^ From 1811 to the outbreak of the War of 1812, chargé d'affaires Johnathan Russell was the chief United States officer in London. The United States severed relations with the United Kingdom on the outbreak of the War of 1812; normal relations were restored in 1815.[9]
  3. ^ Chargé d'affaires
  4. ^ Lewis Lukens became the chargé d'affaires.[12][13]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Ambassador's Residence - Winfield House". uk.usembassy.gov. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  2. ^ "Recent Ambassadors to the United Kingdom". uk.usembassy.gov. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Yael Lempert". U.S. Embassy & Consulates in the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  4. ^ Collier, Peter; Horowitz, David (2002). The Kennedys: An American Drama. p. 6.
  5. ^ Farrell, Henry (November 28, 2019). "U.S. ambassadorships are destination tourism for the mega-rich". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  6. ^ "John Adams - U.S. Presidents - HISTORY.com". HISTORY.com. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  7. ^ "Eyewitness". www.archives.gov. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  8. ^ "Definition of "Plenipotentiary"". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "United Kingdom". Diplomatic History of the United States. US Department of State. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  10. ^ House Documents, Otherwise Publ. as Executive Documents: 13th Congress, 2d Session-49th Congress, 1st Session. United States Congress.
  11. ^ Officers and Graduates of Columbia College: Originally the College of the Province of New York Known as King's College. General Catalogue, 1754-1894. New York City: Columbia College. 1894.
  12. ^ Davis, Julie Hirschfeld (January 5, 2017). "In Break With Precedent, Obama Envoys Are Denied Extensions Past Inauguration Day". The New York Times.
  13. ^ "Biography of Ambassador Matthew W. Barzun". U.S. Embassy & Consulates in the United Kingdom. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  14. ^ Borger, Julian (January 19, 2017). "New York Jets owner Woody Johnson to be US ambassador to UK". The Guardian. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  15. ^ "Biden selects Jane Hartley as ambassador to U.K. (July 16, 2021)".

Further reading[]

  • Holmes, Alison R.; Rofe, J. Simon (2012). The Embassy in Grosvenor Square: American Ambassadors to the United Kingdom, 1938–2008. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. doi:10.1057/9781137295576. ISBN 978-1-137-29557-6.

External links[]

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