David R. Francis

David Rowland Francis ( born October 1, 1850 in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky; † January 15, 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri ) was an American politician. He was mayor of the city of St. Louis, Governor of Missouri, interior minister and ambassador to Russia. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Early years

Francis graduated in 1870 at Washington University in St. Louis. He was successful as a businessman in St. Louis in 1876 and married Jane Perry, with whom he had six sons. In 1877 he founded his own company, the DR Francis and Brothers Commission Company, and presided over from 1884, the urban merchants' association.

Political career

Francis was a delegate to the 1884 Democratic National Convention and was in the following year as the successor to William L. Ewing mayor of St. Louis. This office he held until 1889. November 6, 1888, he was elected as a candidate for the new governor of his state and introduced to his new office on 14 January 1889. From 1889 to 1893 Francis was governor of Missouri; to this day he is the only mayor of St. Louis, who held this office. In his four-year tenure, the Barnes Medical College was founded. At that time also arose in Missouri a nationwide union (State Federation of Labor ). In addition, a court of arbitration for disputed labor issues has been established.

In the cabinet of Francis Grover Cleveland was after the resignation of Michael Hoke Smith September 3, 1896 to March 5, 1897 to the Minister of the Interior of the United States.

Further CV

After leaving the government, he worked as an entrepreneur again. He organized the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which has also included the III. Olympic Games were held. President Woodrow Wilson appointed Francis in 1916 as ambassador to Russia. He was the last U.S. ambassador, who was received at the Imperial Court, and the last, who resided in St. Petersburg. After the February Revolution of 1917 he was the first foreign diplomat who recognized the new government. As a result of the October Revolution he moved the message to Vologda. On November 7, 1918, he left Russia, the embassy was closed ten months later.