Raymond G. H. Seitz

Raymond G. H. Seitz
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Name	Raymond G. H. Seitz
Order	United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom
Term start	June 20, 1991
Term end	May 10, 1994
President	George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton
Predecessor	Henry E. Catto Jr.
Successor	William J. Crowe Jr.

Raymond G. H. Seitz is a distinguished American diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1991 to 1994. A career member of the United States Foreign Service, he was the first career diplomat to hold the prestigious ambassadorship to the Court of St James's in the post-World War II era. His tenure in London spanned a pivotal period in Anglo-American relations, including the end of the Cold War and the Gulf War. Seitz is widely respected for his deep expertise in European affairs and his advocacy for a professional diplomatic corps.

Early life and education

Raymond George Harden Seitz was born in 1940 in Honolulu, Hawaii, then a United States territory. He spent part of his youth in Latin America, where his father worked for the United States Department of Agriculture. Seitz attended Williams College in Massachusetts, graduating with a degree in history in 1963. Following his undergraduate studies, he pursued a master's degree in international relations at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, an institution renowned for training diplomats and international affairs specialists.

Diplomatic career

Seitz joined the United States Foreign Service in 1966, embarking on a career that would focus heavily on Western Europe. His early postings included positions at the U.S. Embassy in London and the U.S. Mission to NATO in Brussels. He later served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Paris. In Washington, D.C., Seitz held significant roles, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs and, most notably, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs from 1989 to 1991. In this capacity, he was a key advisor to Secretary of State James Baker during the tumultuous period of German reunification and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Ambassador to the United Kingdom

Appointed by President George H. W. Bush and confirmed by the United States Senate, Seitz presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II in June 1991. His appointment broke a long tradition of the London ambassadorship being a political reward for major donors, emphasizing instead professional diplomatic skill. His tenure oversaw the strengthening of the "Special Relationship" during the Gulf War and the early presidency of Bill Clinton. Seitz was highly regarded in British political and social circles for his intellect, wit, and profound understanding of the United Kingdom. He navigated complex issues such as the peace process in Northern Ireland and transatlantic trade disputes, earning respect from figures like Prime Minister John Major and Margaret Thatcher.

Later life and legacy

After retiring from the United States Foreign Service in 1994, Seitz entered the private sector, serving as Vice Chairman for Europe at Lehman Brothers in London. He has been a frequent commentator on international relations and has served on the boards of several institutions, including the American Ditchley Foundation and the English-Speaking Union. His memoir, *Over Here*, published in 1998, is a respected insider's account of Anglo-American relations. Seitz's legacy is that of a consummate professional diplomat who championed the expertise of the career foreign service and played a significant role in managing one of America's most vital bilateral relationships during a transformative era in world history.

Category:American diplomats Category:United States ambassadors to the United Kingdom Category:1940 births