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Lucius Harwood Foote | |
---|---|
1st United States Minister to Korea | |
In office May 20, 1883 – February 19, 1885 | |
President | Chester A. Arthur |
Preceded by | Diplomatic relations established |
Succeeded by | George Clayton Foulk, chargé d'affaires ad interim William Harwar Parker (as Consul General) |
Personal details | |
Born | Winfield, New York, U.S. | April 10, 1826
Died | June 4, 1913 San Francisco, California, U.S. | (aged 87)
Spouse |
Rose Frost Carter
(m. 1862; died 1885) |
Relations | Lucius Foote (father) and Electa Harwood (mother) |
Profession | State militia officer and diplomat |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | California United States |
Branch/service | Californian Militia |
Years of service | 1871–1875 |
Rank | Adjutant general |
Lucius Harwood Foote (April 10, 1826 – June 4, 1913) was the first American minister to Korea and served from 1883 to 1885.
Lucius Foote was born April 10, 1826, in Winfield, New York[1] to Rev. Lucius Foote and Electa Harwood. He married in 1862 to Rose Frost Carter (d. 1885).
Lucius Foote was the Adjutant General of the California National Guard, from December 21, 1871 – December 13, 1875.
In May 1882, Korea and the United States signed a treaty of commerce, in Chemulpo Port (modern day Incheon). This treaty required an American political presence in Korea. Foote was assigned a year later, with the title, "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary". However, due to low trade volumes, in July 1884, Foote was demoted to the position of "Minister Resident". In August 1884, he purchased a hanok-style house from the Min family and thus established the American Legation.[2] He shared the building with Horace Newton Allen. When Lucius Foote resigned and left Seoul, in January 1885, George Clayton Foulk replaced him.
Lucius Foote retired to San Francisco, California. He died there on June 4, 1913.[3]