Sumner Welles

Sumner Welles, born on October fourteenth, nineteen hundred and two in New York City, emerged from a prominent political family and pursued a distinguished career as a diplomat and non-fiction writer. After graduating from Harvard College in nineteen fourteen, he entered the Foreign Service, encouraged by his family friend, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Welles was inspired by Woodrow Wilson's vision of a world order based on liberal democracy and international cooperation.

Welles specialized in Latin American affairs, holding various positions both in Washington and abroad. His career faced challenges, notably when President Calvin Coolidge dismissed him due to personal circumstances. After a brief hiatus from public service, during which he authored a book on the Dominican Republic, Welles returned to prominence when Roosevelt appointed him Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs in nineteen thirty-two.

In this role, Welles played a crucial part in the political landscape of Latin America, notably orchestrating the removal of Cuban president Gerardo Machado. His influence expanded as he became Under Secretary of State from nineteen thirty-six to nineteen forty-three, where he navigated complex European affairs as World War II unfolded. Welles issued the Welles Declaration in nineteen forty, condemning Soviet actions in the Baltic states, which became a point of contention during the war.

Despite his significant contributions, Welles faced political opposition, particularly from Secretary of State Cordell Hull, leading to his eventual departure from government service in nineteen forty-three following a scandal. He returned to private life, continuing to write and advise media organizations, while also being scrutinized by the House Un-American Activities Committee during the post-war era. Welles passed away in New Jersey in nineteen sixty-one, leaving behind a legacy marked by his diplomatic endeavors and two children from his first marriage, along with his third wife.