Thomas J. O'Brien (Michigan politician)

Thomas James O’Brien (July 30, 1842 – May 19, 1933) was a politician and diplomat from the U.S. state of Michigan.

Thomas J. O'Brien
The Honorable Thomas J. O'Brien, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, in 1910.
United States Ambassador to Italy
In office November 13, 1911 – September 17, 1913
President	William Howard Taft
Preceded by	John G. A. Leishman
Succeeded by	Thomas Nelson Page
United States Ambassador to Japan
In office October 15, 1907 – August 31, 1911
President	Theodore Roosevelt William Howard Taft
Preceded by	Luke E. Wright
Succeeded by	Charles Page Bryan
United States Minister to Denmark
In office May 27, 1905 – June 5, 1907
President	Theodore Roosevelt
Preceded by	Laurits S. Swenson
Succeeded by	Maurice Francis Egan
Personal details
Born	Thomas J. O'Brien (1842-07-30)30 July 1842 Jackson, Michigan
Died	19 May 1933(1933-05-19) (aged 90)
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Delia Howard O'Brien (1848–1926)
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Profession	Politician, diplomat

O'Brien was born in Jackson, Michigan, on July 30, 1842, the son of Timothy O'Brien and Elizabeth Lander O'Brien. On September 4, 1873, he married Delia Howard (July 14, 1848 - January 22, 1926).

O'Brien was a lawyer by profession and a Republican politician. In 1883 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the office of Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. In 1896 and 1904 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention from Michigan.

Ambassador

O’Brien, a graduate of the University of Michigan law school, held the following posts as ambassador of the United States:

• Denmark, 1905–1907 (appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt)
• Japan, 1907–1911 (appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt)
• Italy, 1911–1913 (appointed by President William Howard Taft)

Death

O’Brien died on May 19, 1933.[1] He is buried with his wife at Oakhill Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

References

1. "THOMAS J. O'BRIEN, DIPLOMAT, DIES, 90; Ex-U. S. Ambassador to Japan and Italy and Previously Minister to Denmark. WON SUCCESS AT TOKYO Obtained 'Gentlemen'* Agreement' Ending Trouble Over Japanese Immigration to the U. 3". The New York Times. May 20, 1933. Retrieved June 23, 2018.

Sources

• The Political Graveyard: Thomas O’Brien
• United States Department of State: Chiefs of Mission by Country, 1778-2005

External links

• Media related to Thomas J. O'Brien (Michigan politician) at Wikimedia Commons
• Thomas J. O'Brien at Find a Grave

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Laurits S. Swenson	U.S. Minister to Denmark 1905–1907	Succeeded by Maurice Francis Egan
Preceded by Luke E. Wright	U.S. Ambassador to Japan 1907–1911	Succeeded by Charles Page Bryan
Preceded by John G. A. Leishman	U.S. Ambassador to Italy 1911–1913	Succeeded by Thomas Nelson Page