Clifton Reginald Wharton, Sr.

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Clifton Reginald Wharton, Sr. (May 11, 1899–April 25, 1990) was an American diplomat, the first African American to be appointed Minister and Ambassador in the United States Foreign Service.

Born in Baltimore, Wharton received his law degree in 1920 and an advanced law degree in 1923 from Boston University School of Law. He practiced in Boston before joining the United States State Department as a law clerk in the Career Foreign Service Department. Wharton went on to ne Vice Consul in Monrovia (1927-1929), Consul in Las Palmas (1932-1938), Minister to Romania (1958-1961) and Ambassador to Norway (1961-1964).

Wharton died in Phoenix, Arizona. His son Clifton Reginald Wharton, Jr. is a noted economist and executive. On May 30, 2006, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp depicting Wharton.

[edit] References

• Navraez, Alfonso A. (April 25, 1990). Clifton R. Wharton, 90, Is Dead; Pioneering Black U.S. Diplomat. New York Times
• Stump, Brice (July 5, 2006). Wharton family is honored by stamp issuance. DelmarvaNow