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{{For|persons of a similar name|Robert Skinner (disambiguation){{!}}Robert Skinner}}{{short description|American diplomat}}{{Infobox Ambassador
{{short description|American diplomat}}
{{For|persons of a similar name|Robert Skinner (disambiguation){{!}}Robert Skinner}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image = Robert Peet Skinner in 1915 (3x4a).jpg
| image = Robert Peet Skinner in 1915 (3x4a).jpg
| name = Robert P. Skinner
| name = Robert P. Skinner
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| spouse = {{marriage|Helen Wales|1897}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Helen Wales|1897}}
}}
}}
'''Robert Peet Skinner''' (February 24, 1866 – July 1, 1960) was an [[Americans|American]] [[diplomat]], editor, and publisher.
'''Robert Peet Skinner''' (February 24, 1866 – July 1, 1960) was an American [[diplomat]], editor, and publisher.


==Early life==
==Early life==
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Through his wife's family and his own connections, Skinner would be awarded for his support for President McKinley with a wedding gift, a role in the McKinley administration. McKinley made him the United States [[Consul (representative)|Consul]] in [[Marseille]] from 1897 to 1901; starting up his career in [[foreign service]].<ref name=":0" /> He would later become the United States Consul General in [[Marseille]] from 1901 to 1908; United States Consul General at the [[Consulate General of the United States, Hamburg]] from 1908 to 1914; United States Consul General at the [[Embassy of the United States, Berlin]] in 1914; United States Consul General at the [[Embassy of the United States, London]] from 1914 to 1924.<ref name=pg/><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Goldberg|first=Harold J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uod1AAAAMAAJ&q=%22Robert+Peet+Skinner%22|title=Documents of Soviet-American Relations: Propaganda, economic affairs recognition, 1917-1933|date=1993|publisher=Academic International Press|isbn=978-0-87569-133-6|language=en}}</ref>
Through his wife's family and his own connections, Skinner would be awarded for his support for President McKinley with a wedding gift, a role in the McKinley administration. McKinley made him the United States [[Consul (representative)|Consul]] in [[Marseille]] from 1897 to 1901; starting up his career in [[foreign service]].<ref name=":0" /> He would later become the United States Consul General in [[Marseille]] from 1901 to 1908; United States Consul General at the [[Consulate General of the United States, Hamburg]] from 1908 to 1914; United States Consul General at the [[Embassy of the United States, Berlin]] in 1914; United States Consul General at the [[Embassy of the United States, London]] from 1914 to 1924.<ref name=pg/><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Goldberg|first=Harold J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uod1AAAAMAAJ&q=%22Robert+Peet+Skinner%22|title=Documents of Soviet-American Relations: Propaganda, economic affairs recognition, 1917-1933|date=1993|publisher=Academic International Press|isbn=978-0-87569-133-6|language=en}}</ref>


During his time in [[France]], Skinner would become familiar with French colonial governance. He would become particularly interested with the prospect of establishing a trade deal for the [[United States]] with [[Abyssinia]]. In 1903 [[President Theodore Roosevelt|President Roosevelt]] would take interest in Skinner's proposal and order the diplomat to go to Africa. He arrived along with other representatives and a contingent of thirty [[U.S. marines]] in October of that year; they sailed into [[Djibouti (city)|Djibouti]] from [[Naples]] before traveling to their destination via camel over a twenty-two day trek. Upon arriving they were escorted by 5,000 native troops to their audience with [[Menelik II|King Menelik]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Skinner|first=Robert Peet|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xxEUAAAAIAAJ|title=Abyssinia of To-day: An Account of the First Mission Sent by the American Government to the Court of the King of Kings, 1903-1904|publisher=E. Arnold|year=1906|isbn=978-1163612736|language=en}}</ref> Ultimately the mission would be seen as a success, there would be increased trade between the two countries, due to a negotiated ten year commercial treaty.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wilson|first=Woodrow|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YDUJAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Robert+Peet+Skinner%22|title=The Papers of Woodrow Wilson: June 18-July 25, 1919|date=1989|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=9780691045085 |language=en}}</ref> His mission would also see a growth of American fascination with their new African partner and provided a foothold into the continent for the still growing country.<ref name=":0" /> Upon returning to the United States, Skinner would publish an account of this mission in 1906.<ref name=":1" />
During his time in [[France]], Skinner would become familiar with French colonial governance. He would become particularly interested with the prospect of establishing a trade deal for the [[United States]] with [[Abyssinia]]. In 1903 [[President Theodore Roosevelt|President Roosevelt]] would take interest in Skinner's proposal and order the diplomat to go to Africa. He arrived along with other representatives and a contingent of thirty [[U.S. marines]] in October of that year; they sailed into [[Djibouti (city)|Djibouti]] from [[Naples]] before traveling to their destination via camel over a twenty-two day trek. Upon arriving they were escorted by 5,000 native troops to their audience with [[Menelik II|Emperor Menelik II]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Skinner|first=Robert Peet|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xxEUAAAAIAAJ|title=Abyssinia of To-day: An Account of the First Mission Sent by the American Government to the Court of the King of Kings, 1903-1904|publisher=E. Arnold|year=1906|isbn=978-1163612736|language=en}}</ref> Ultimately the mission would be seen as a success, there would be increased trade between the two countries, due to a negotiated ten year commercial treaty.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wilson|first=Woodrow|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YDUJAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Robert+Peet+Skinner%22|title=The Papers of Woodrow Wilson: June 18-July 25, 1919|date=1989|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=9780691045085 |language=en}}</ref> His mission would also see a growth of American fascination with their new African partner and provided a foothold into the continent for the still growing country.<ref name=":0" /> Upon returning to the United States, Skinner would publish an account of this mission in 1906.<ref name=":1" />


While in post in London, in March 1916, Skinner proposed a method of allowing United States' and other neutral merchant shipping to pass through the [[Blockade of Germany (1914–1919)|Allied blockade]] without the irksome inspection procedure required to check for contraband goods that might help the German war effort. He proposed that a certified manifest could be sent in advance by [[telegram]] to the local British embassy, which, if agreed, could issue a document known as a "[[navicert]]", which would allow the cargo to pass through the blockade without the need for inspection. The navicert system was highly successful and continued for US shipping until the [[American entry into World War I|American entry into the war]] and for other neutral nations until the blockade was lifted in 1919.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Moos |first1=Malcolm |date=January 1944 |title=The Navicert in World War II |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2192541 |journal=The American Journal of International Law |volume=38 |issue=1 |pages=115–119 |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref>
⚫
He was the [[United States Ambassador to Greece]] from 1926 to 1932; [[United States Ambassador to Estonia]] from 1931 to 1933; [[United States Ambassador to Latvia]] from 1931 to 1933; [[United States Ambassador to Lithuania]], 1931 to 1933; [[United States Ambassador to Turkey]] from 1933 to 1936.<ref name=pg>{{cite web |url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/skinner.html |title=Robert Peet Skinner |accessdate=2015-03-18 |publisher=[[Political Graveyard]] }}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/skinner-robert-peet |title=Robert Peet Skinner |accessdate=2015-03-18 |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] }}</ref>

⚫
He was the [[United States Ambassador to Greece]] from 1926 to 1932; [[United States Ambassador to Estonia]] from 1931 to 1933; [[United States Ambassador to Latvia]] from 1931 to 1933; [[United States Ambassador to Lithuania]], 1931 to 1933; [[United States Ambassador to Turkey]] from 1933 to 1936.<ref name=pg>{{cite web |url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/skinner.html |title=Robert Peet Skinner |access-date=2015-03-18 |publisher=[[Political Graveyard]] }}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/skinner-robert-peet |title=Robert Peet Skinner |access-date=2015-03-18 |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] }}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
During his time in Paris, Skinner resided from 15 November 1935 for nearly three years at the [[Hôtel de Besenval]], before the ''[[hôtel particulier]]'' was sold to the [[Switzerland|Swiss Confederation]].<ref name="Besenval Ambassade Samoyault 113">Jean-Pierre Samoyault: ''L'Hôtel de Besenval – Ambassade de Suisse en France,'' Editions internationales du Patrimoine, Paris, 2017, p. 113</ref> He died in [[Belfast, Maine]] on July 1, 1960.<ref name="pg" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Robert Skinner, 94, A Retired Diplomat |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0DE0D6123EEF3ABC4B53DFB166838B679EDE |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |date=July 3, 1960 |accessdate=2015-03-18 }}</ref> He was buried in [[Massillon City Cemetery]] in [[Massillon, Ohio]].
During his time in Paris, Skinner resided from 15 November 1935 for nearly three years at the [[Hôtel de Besenval]], before the ''[[hôtel particulier]]'' was sold to the [[Switzerland|Swiss Confederation]].<ref name="Besenval Ambassade Samoyault 113">Jean-Pierre Samoyault: ''L'Hôtel de Besenval – Ambassade de Suisse en France,'' Editions internationales du Patrimoine, Paris, 2017, p. 113</ref> He died in [[Belfast, Maine]] on July 1, 1960.<ref name="pg" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Robert Skinner, 94, A Retired Diplomat |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0DE0D6123EEF3ABC4B53DFB166838B679EDE |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 3, 1960 |access-date=2015-03-18 }}</ref> He was buried in [[Massillon City Cemetery]] in [[Massillon, Ohio]].


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{findagrave|97332744|Robert Peet Skinner}}
*{{find a Grave|97332744|Robert Peet Skinner}}


{{US Ambassadors to Greece}}
{{US Ambassadors to Greece}}
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[[Category:American male writers]]
[[Category:American male writers]]
[[Category:Writers from Ohio]]
[[Category:Writers from Ohio]]
[[Category:New York World journalists]]
[[Category:New York World people]]
[[Category:Ethiopia–United States relations]]
[[Category:Ethiopia–United States relations]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Greece]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Greece]]

Latest revision as of 22:22, 23 August 2024

For persons of a similar name, see Robert Skinner.
Robert P. Skinner
Skinner ca. 1915
United States Ambassador to Turkey
In office
1933–1936
Preceded byCharles H. Sherrill
Succeeded byJohn Van Antwerp MacMurray
United States Ambassador to Lithuania
In office
1931–1933
Preceded byFrederick W. B. Coleman
Succeeded byJohn Van Antwerp MacMurray
United States Ambassador to Latvia
In office
1931–1933
Preceded byFrederick W. B. Coleman
Succeeded byJohn Van Antwerp MacMurray
United States Ambassador to Estonia
In office
1931–1933
Preceded byFrederick W. B. Coleman
Succeeded byJohn Van Antwerp MacMurray
United States Ambassador to Greece
In office
1926–1932
Preceded byIrwin B. Laughlin
Succeeded byLincoln MacVeagh
Personal details
Born
Robert Peet Skinner

(1866-02-24)February 24, 1866
Massillon, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJuly 1, 1960(1960-07-01) (aged 94)
Belfast, Maine, U.S.
Resting placeMassillon, Ohio, U.S.
Spouse
Helen Wales
​
(m. 1897)​

Robert Peet Skinner (February 24, 1866 – July 1, 1960) was an American diplomat, editor, and publisher.

Early life

[edit]

Skinner was born on February 24, 1866, in Massillon, Ohio, to Augustus T. Skinner and Cecelia van Rensselaer.[1][2] His father was a native of Massillon, his grandfather Charles K. Skinner was an early settler of Kendal and his great-grandfather was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He attended common schools, including a school in Cincinnati.[2]

Career

[edit]

At the age of 19, he became the editor and owner of a local paper called The Evening Independent.[1] Through his work with the paper he would become acquainted with William McKinley, whom Skinner would support for the presidency.[3] He worked for the New York World as a telegraph editor. He worked as a political correspondent.[2] On June 17, 1897, he married Helen Wales, daughter of Arvine C. Wales.[4][2]

Through his wife's family and his own connections, Skinner would be awarded for his support for President McKinley with a wedding gift, a role in the McKinley administration. McKinley made him the United States Consul in Marseille from 1897 to 1901; starting up his career in foreign service.[3] He would later become the United States Consul General in Marseille from 1901 to 1908; United States Consul General at the Consulate General of the United States, Hamburg from 1908 to 1914; United States Consul General at the Embassy of the United States, Berlin in 1914; United States Consul General at the Embassy of the United States, London from 1914 to 1924.[4][5]

During his time in France, Skinner would become familiar with French colonial governance. He would become particularly interested with the prospect of establishing a trade deal for the United States with Abyssinia. In 1903 President Roosevelt would take interest in Skinner's proposal and order the diplomat to go to Africa. He arrived along with other representatives and a contingent of thirty U.S. marines in October of that year; they sailed into Djibouti from Naples before traveling to their destination via camel over a twenty-two day trek. Upon arriving they were escorted by 5,000 native troops to their audience with Emperor Menelik II.[6] Ultimately the mission would be seen as a success, there would be increased trade between the two countries, due to a negotiated ten year commercial treaty.[7] His mission would also see a growth of American fascination with their new African partner and provided a foothold into the continent for the still growing country.[3] Upon returning to the United States, Skinner would publish an account of this mission in 1906.[6]

While in post in London, in March 1916, Skinner proposed a method of allowing United States' and other neutral merchant shipping to pass through the Allied blockade without the irksome inspection procedure required to check for contraband goods that might help the German war effort. He proposed that a certified manifest could be sent in advance by telegram to the local British embassy, which, if agreed, could issue a document known as a "navicert", which would allow the cargo to pass through the blockade without the need for inspection. The navicert system was highly successful and continued for US shipping until the American entry into the war and for other neutral nations until the blockade was lifted in 1919.[8]

He was the United States Ambassador to Greece from 1926 to 1932; United States Ambassador to Estonia from 1931 to 1933; United States Ambassador to Latvia from 1931 to 1933; United States Ambassador to Lithuania, 1931 to 1933; United States Ambassador to Turkey from 1933 to 1936.[4][5][9]

Personal life

[edit]

During his time in Paris, Skinner resided from 15 November 1935 for nearly three years at the Hôtel de Besenval, before the hôtel particulier was sold to the Swiss Confederation.[10] He died in Belfast, Maine on July 1, 1960.[4][11] He was buried in Massillon City Cemetery in Massillon, Ohio.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Richeimer, Mary Jane (1947). A Century of Education: One Hundred Years of the Massillon, Ohio, Public Schools.
  2. ^ a b c d John Danner, ed. (1904). Old Landmarks of Canton and Stark County, Ohio. p. 1353. Retrieved 2023-09-07 – via Archive.org.Open access icon
  3. ^ a b c Haynes, Justin. "Robert Peet Skinner: Journey to Abyssinia: The Hidden Empire". Massillon Museum. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  4. ^ a b c d "Robert Peet Skinner". Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  5. ^ a b Goldberg, Harold J. (1993). Documents of Soviet-American Relations: Propaganda, economic affairs recognition, 1917-1933. Academic International Press. ISBN 978-0-87569-133-6.
  6. ^ a b Skinner, Robert Peet (1906). Abyssinia of To-day: An Account of the First Mission Sent by the American Government to the Court of the King of Kings, 1903-1904. E. Arnold. ISBN 978-1163612736.
  7. ^ Wilson, Woodrow (1989). The Papers of Woodrow Wilson: June 18-July 25, 1919. Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691045085.
  8. ^ Moos, Malcolm (January 1944). "The Navicert in World War II". The American Journal of International Law. 38 (1): 115–119. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Robert Peet Skinner". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  10. ^ Jean-Pierre Samoyault: L'Hôtel de Besenval – Ambassade de Suisse en France, Editions internationales du Patrimoine, Paris, 2017, p. 113
  11. ^ "Robert Skinner, 94, A Retired Diplomat". The New York Times. July 3, 1960. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
[edit]
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