Америкалық дипломат Брэнд Уитлок өмірі мен қызметі

American diplomat

Brand Whitlock (March 4, 1869 – May 24, 1934) was an American journalist, attorney, politician, Georgist, four time mayor of Toledo, Ohio elected on the Independent ticket; ambassador to Belgium, and author of numerous articles and books, both novels and non fiction.

Born Joseph Brand Whitlock in Urbana, Ohio, son of the Rev. Elias and Mollie Lavinia (Brand) Whitlock, he was educated in the public schools and by private tutors. Rather than attend college, Whitlock began working as a reporter for several papers in Toledo, Ohio, including The Toledo Blade. In 1891, he moved to Chicago to work for The Chicago Herald. He covered baseball, including longtime Chicago captain manager Cap Anson, whom he sometimes referred to in print as "Grampa." Whitlock joined the Whitechapel Club.

His political writing attracted attention by Illinois politicians, and Whitlock was offered a job as Gov. John Peter Altgeld's personal secretary; instead he took a position with the Secretary of State. While in Springfield, he also studied the law under Senator J. M. Palmer; he was admitted to the bar in 1894, at the age of 25. In 1895 he married again, choosing her sister Nell Brainerd. Whitlock became very active in Illinois Democratic Party politics. In 1894, he was Chair of the Democratic Finance Committee and in charge of arrangements for the state convention.

After the defeat of Gov. Altgeld in 1896, Whitlock returned to Toledo in 1897, where he established a successful legal practice. Whitlock provided legal services to the Mayor of Toledo, Samuel M. Jones, a. k. a. "Golden Rule" Jones. In one case, Whitlock successfully argued to overturn the Ohio state statutes that governed municipalities. Whitlock entered politics more directly in Toledo, running on the Independent ticket for mayor; he was elected four times from 1906 to 1914. He was one of a number of Progressive politicians elected as mayors of major Midwestern cities in 1911, following the unexpected sweep of the Milwaukee Socialists in 1910. He declined a fifth nomination as mayor when recruited for a diplomatic post.

After finishing his last term as mayor, in 1913 Whitlock was appointed minister to Belgium by President Wilson. When the First World War broke out, his responsibilities were increased as he was given representation for seven additional countries in wartime. His position was extremely sensitive after the German occupation of Belgium. His adroit performance of his duties in the office won him an international reputation for tact, zeal, and efficiency. Whitlock ensured food aid sent by the Committee for Relief in Belgium went to Belgian citizens rather than the German occupation forces. With the United States' declaration of war against Germany in April 1917, Whitlock needed to leave Belgium. He insisted on ensuring he accompanied other Americans out of Belgium, and crossed into Switzerland, which was neutral. During the war, he visited King Albert of Belgium at the Allied battle front. After the signing of the armistice in November 1918 and the restoration of the Belgian government, Whitlock returned to Brussels as minister. In 1919, he went to the United States for a visit. While he was at home, the United States' representation in Belgium was raised to rank of an embassy, and Whitlock became an ambassador.

John F. Kennedy wrote about Altgeld's pardons of men from the Haymarket Affair in his book, Profiles in Courage. In the 1965 television show based on the book, John Kerr played Brand Whitlock. The Reluctant Hero: Brand Whitlock was a WBGU PBS documentary about him.

For his service to Belgium, Whitlock received numerous honors, including the Order of Leopold knighthood. He was an early member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. A boulevard in Brussels was named for him in the Woluwe Saint Lambert municipality.