Charles Spencer Francis

The son of diplomat and newspaper publisher John M. Francis and Harriet E. Tucker,^[1] Charles Spencer Francis was born on June 17, 1853.^[2] He studied at Cornell University from 1870 to 1871,^[3] before joining his father in Greece as his secretary.^[4] With his mission completed, Francis returned to the United States and to Cornell in 1874.^[3]

At Cornell, Francis proved to be an excellent rower, setting the world record in intercollegiate single scull competition^{[clarification needed]} in 1876 (which stood long after his death, up until his grandson also attended Cornell).^[5] He graduated from Cornell the next year with a Bachelor of Science degree.^[3]

He went to work for his father's newspaper, The Troy Times, as a reporter,^[2] and worked his way up to the editor's desk. He bought a stake in the paper, then made it an equal one. Upon his father's death in 1897, Francis took over the paper entirely.^[6]

Francis, a Republican,^[1] was appointed to his father's old post of United States Minister to Greece, Serbia, and Romania in 1900, under President William McKinley.^[4] Two years later, Francis resigned to attend to his newspaper and other business interests.^[7]

He returned to diplomacy in 1906, when President Theodore Roosevelt nominated Francis to another of his father's old posts: that of United States Ambassador to Austria-Hungary;^[6] upon the recall of Bellamy Storer. The Emperor, Franz Joseph, accepted; and his appointment was announced by the Foreign Ministry on March 28, 1906.^[8] Two months later, Francis presented his credentials.

He was officially introduced to the Emperor's court on January 30, 1907.^[9] Three years later, on the eve of his departure, the Emperor received him in a farewell audience.^[10]

He was replaced by Richard C. Kerens.^[11]

A member of Zeta Psi, he served in the New York State National Guard under Joseph Bradford Carr, ultimately attaining the rank of colonel.^[12] He was also a vice president of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society,^[4] and a member of Sons of the Revolution.^[3]

In 1903, Francis became a member of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York,^[6] which he resigned upon his nomination as ambassador.^[1]

Francis married Alice Evans, the daughter of a Cornell professor,^[4] on May 23, 1878;^[1] and they had five children, two sons and three daughters.^[13]

Francis died from myocarditis on December 1, 1911,^[3] and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery.^[13]