John Barrett, 1885
John Barrett was a US diplomat that ardently worked for international peace.
John Barrett was a US diplomat that ardently worked for international peace. For his service, Vermont Academy honors Barrett with the Florence Sabin Distinguished Alumni Award. Barrett graduated Dartmouth College in 1889. By the age of thirty, he was appointed Minister to Siam and settled claims worth millions of dollars.
During the Spanish American War he worked as foreign correspondent, and in 1901 became delegate to the Second International Conference of American States in Mexico City. Barrett worked to secure participation in the St. Louis expedition (1902-3), served as Minister to Argentina (1903-4), and as the first Minister to Panama (1904-5). Roosevelt transferred him to Panama in 1906 to settle conflict over the Panama Canal. Barrett then served as Director of the Bureau of American Republics for fourteen years, and his efforts led to the formation of the Pan American Union. In reference to Barrett, Andrew Carnegie stated, “nothing could shake his devotion to his mission.” Barrett wrote six books on South America and international relations, and the Barrett Medal is named in his honor.
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During the Spanish American War he worked as foreign correspondent, and in 1901 became delegate to the Second International Conference of American States in Mexico City. Barrett worked to secure participation in the St. Louis expedition (1902-3), served as Minister to Argentina (1903-4), and as the first Minister to Panama (1904-5). Roosevelt transferred him to Panama in 1906 to settle conflict over the Panama Canal. Barrett then served as Director of the Bureau of American Republics for fourteen years, and his efforts led to the formation of the Pan American Union. In reference to Barrett, Andrew Carnegie stated, “nothing could shake his devotion to his mission.” Barrett wrote six books on South America and international relations, and the Barrett Medal is named in his honor.
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