Christian Herter: The Diplomat Who Shaped America's Foreign Policy

A Leader in Diplomacy and Politics

Christian Archibald Herter was an American diplomat and Republican politician who made a lasting impact on the country's foreign policy. He is best known for serving as the 59th Governor of Massachusetts from 1953 to 1957 and United States Secretary of State from 1959 to 1961.

Early Life and Education

Born in Paris, France, to American artist and expatriate parents, Albert Herter and Adele McGinnis, Herter attended the école Alsacienne from 1901 to 1904. He then moved to New York City, where he attended the Browning School from 1904 to 1911. Herter graduated from Harvard College in 1915 and went on to do graduate work in architecture and interior design at Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.

Diplomatic Career

Herter's diplomatic career began when he joined the diplomatic corps and was made attaché to the Embassy of the United States in Berlin. He was briefly arrested while in Mainz as a possible spy, but this did not deter him from pursuing his passion for diplomacy. He was part of the US delegation to the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, where he played a key role in drafting the Covenant of the League of Nations. Herter also worked closely with Herbert Hoover in providing starvation relief to post-war Europe.

Key Roles and Achievements

• Served as assistant to Herbert Hoover when Hoover became Secretary of Commerce in the Harding Administration
• Participated in the 1919 meeting that resulted in the creation of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations
• Served as president of the board of trustees at the Dexter School from 1937 to 1939
• Became the 59th Governor of Massachusetts from 1953 to 1957, where he implemented several reforms in education and transportation
• Served as United States Secretary of State from 1959 to 1961, where he played a crucial role in navigating the country's foreign policy during the Cold War

Personal Life and Legacy

Herter married the wealthy heiress Mary Caroline Pratt in 1917, and they had three sons and one daughter together. His son, Christian A. Herter, Jr., followed in his footsteps and became active in international relations. Herter's moderate tone and diplomatic approach were often tested during his tenure as Secretary of State, particularly during his encounters with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. Despite the challenges he faced, Herter left a lasting legacy in the world of diplomacy and politics.

Quotes and Memorable Sayings

• "The task of diplomacy is to reduce the area of disagreement and to increase the area of agreement."
• "In diplomacy, you don't get what you want, you get what you negotiate."

Historical Context and Legacy

Christian Herter's life and career spanned a significant period in American history, from the aftermath of World War I to the height of the Cold War. His contributions to diplomacy and politics continue to inspire future generations of leaders and diplomats. Today, Herter's legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of diplomacy and international cooperation in shaping the world we live in.