Lucius Harwood Foote (April 10, 1826 – June 4, 1913) was the first American minister to Korea and served from 1883 to 1885.

Lucius Harwood Foote
1st United States Minister to Korea
In office
May 20, 1883 – February 19, 1885
PresidentChester A. Arthur
Preceded byDiplomatic relations established
Succeeded byGeorge Clayton Foulk, chargé d'affaires ad interim
William Harwar Parker (as Consul General)
Personal details
Born(1826-04-10)April 10, 1826
Winfield, New York, U.S.
DiedJune 4, 1913(1913-06-04) (aged 87)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Spouse
Rose Frost Carter
(m. 1862; died 1885)
RelationsLucius Foote (father) and Electa Harwood (mother)
ProfessionState militia officer and diplomat
Signature
Military service
Allegiance California
 United States
Branch/serviceCalifornian Militia
Years of service1871–1875
RankAdjutant general

Early life

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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).

Pre-Korea years

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Lucius Foote was the Adjutant General of the California National Guard, from December 21, 1871 – December 13, 1875.

U.S. ambassador to Korea

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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.


Later years

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Lucius Foote retired to San Francisco, California. He died there on June 4, 1913.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Lucius Harwood Foote". myweb.wvnet.edu. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "An old house for a new neighbor". Joins.com. July 12, 2009. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012.
  3. ^ "Lucius Harwood Foote is Claimed by Death". San Francisco Chronicle. June 5, 1913. p. 20. Retrieved March 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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