Samuel R. Gummeré
Samuel Rene Gummeré (
Biography
Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he ran a law practice for several years. He traveled Europe extensively during the 1880s and became interested in politics. In 1898, having served in minor diplomatic posts, he was appointed Counsel-General in Tangier by President William McKinley and was later made Ambassador. He was considered a "diplomat of polish and ability, and a brilliant conversationalist and raconteur."[3]
He became an important player in the
Gummeré was appointed as the first US Minister to Morocco as a reward for his service in resolving the crisis. Later, he served as one of the American mediators, under Ambassador to Italy Henry White, in the Algeciras Conference of 1906, which helped resolve European tensions over Morocco. The conference called for the organization of a State Bank for Morocco and the organization of a Moroccan native police force — albeit under European supervision. While the Europeans backed this plan, Moroccan Sultan Abdelaziz was initially reluctant, finally agreeing to sign it on June 18. The conference also rebuked French attempts to establish Morocco as a protectorate; but ultimately, French control of Morocco was only staved off for six years.
After 1909 Gummeré retired from public life, dying eleven years later.
In the heavily fictionalized film The Wind and the Lion (1975), which deals with the Perdicaris incident, he was portrayed by Geoffrey Lewis.
Awards and honors
Gummeré was awarded an honorary degree from Brown University in 1865.[4]
Notes
- ^ New York Tribune, May 29, 1920
- ^ "Samuel Rene Gummere". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
- ^ Gomery One-Name Study at www.one-name.org
- ^ "Honorary Degrees: 1800s". The Corporation of Brown University. Brown University. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.