Bert Fish

Bert Fish (October 8, 1875 – July 21, 1943) was an American judge, real-estate operator, finance director, philanthropist, and ambassador.

Early life

Fish originally hailed from Bedford, Indiana,[1] but moved to Volusia County, Florida in 1881. He became the Superintendent of the Volusia County Schools district when he was 25, and went on to study at Stetson Law School and becoming a founding member of Stetson University's Sigma Nu chapter, graduating and being admitted to the Florida bar in 1902.[1] Fish then joined a law partnership in DeLand, and from 1904 to 1910 served as a judge.[2]

Politics and diplomacy

Fish was the finance director of the Democratic National Committee and Franklin Roosevelts' Florida Campaign Manager during the 1932 presidential election.

Upon Roosevelt's victory, Fish received the ambassadorship to Egypt, being appointed on September 6, 1933, and presenting his credentials December 2, 1933; because his appointment came while the Senate was in recess, he was subsequently confirmed on January 15, 1934 and recommissioned.[3]

Though still residing in Cairo, Fish was appointed the first U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia on August 7, 1939, presenting his credentials on February 4, 1940.[4] He left both assignments on February 28, 1941.[3][4] That February he took a steamer down the Red Sea to Jidda, Saudi Arabia, where he gave a silver-framed photograph of Roosevelt to King Ibn Saud and was treated to a banquet by Prince Faisal.[5]

Even before terminating these assignments, Fish was appointed ambassador to Portugal on February 11, 1941, and presented credentials on March 26, 1941.[6] While at his new post he became ill, and died just two weeks later on July 21, 1943.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Bert Fish is Dead; U.S. Diplomat, 67". The New York Times. Associated Press. 1943-07-22.
  2. ↑ "Judge Bert Fish". Volusia County Heritage. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Chiefs of Mission by Country, 1778-2005: Egypt". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Chiefs of Mission by Country, 1778-2005: Saudi Arabia". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  5. ↑ "Fish to Jidda". TIME. 1940-02-19. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
  6. ↑ "Chiefs of Mission by Country, 1778-2005: Portugal". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2009-01-23.

External links