New York State Adjutant General, United States Consul General to France, Algeria and Germany, United States Minister to Greece, Charge d' Affaires, Germany.Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. Law degree from Albany Law School, 1859. Appointed aide-de-camp to Governor of Rhode Island with rank of colonel. In 1860, while New York State Adjutant General, Read was chairman of a committee of three, which drafted a bill in behalf of New York State, appropriating $300,000 for the purchase of arms and equipment. He subsequently received the thanks of the war department for his ability and zeal in organizing, equipping and forwarding troops. Republican who supported Lincoln and one of the originators of Wide-Awake political movement in New York. Regent of Cornell University, 1865-1874. In 1868 he was instrumental in election of General Grant to the presidency. Appointed United States Consul General, France and Algeria, 1868. Acted as consul general of Germany, 1870-1872. First United States Minister to Greece, 1873-1879. Gained release of American ship Armenia from Greek authorities. In 1876 he persuaded Greek government to revoke order banning sales of English tranlated Bibles. Responsible for protecting American citizens and interests during Balkan crisis and war, 1875-1878. Officially resigned as a diplomat, September 23, 1879. Received approbations for his diplomacy skills from Europe and America. In 1881, King George of Greece, made him a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, this being the highest honor Greece could bestow. Member and president of the Archaeological Society of Athens. Author of, "A Historical Inquiry Concerning Henry Hudson" and other works. Honorary companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Member of the Cincinnati. Read's father was John M. Read, 1797-1874 and great grandfather was George Read, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
New York State Adjutant General, United States Consul General to France, Algeria and Germany, United States Minister to Greece, Charge d' Affaires, Germany.Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. Law degree from Albany Law School, 1859. Appointed aide-de-camp to Governor of Rhode Island with rank of colonel. In 1860, while New York State Adjutant General, Read was chairman of a committee of three, which drafted a bill in behalf of New York State, appropriating $300,000 for the purchase of arms and equipment. He subsequently received the thanks of the war department for his ability and zeal in organizing, equipping and forwarding troops. Republican who supported Lincoln and one of the originators of Wide-Awake political movement in New York. Regent of Cornell University, 1865-1874. In 1868 he was instrumental in election of General Grant to the presidency. Appointed United States Consul General, France and Algeria, 1868. Acted as consul general of Germany, 1870-1872. First United States Minister to Greece, 1873-1879. Gained release of American ship Armenia from Greek authorities. In 1876 he persuaded Greek government to revoke order banning sales of English tranlated Bibles. Responsible for protecting American citizens and interests during Balkan crisis and war, 1875-1878. Officially resigned as a diplomat, September 23, 1879. Received approbations for his diplomacy skills from Europe and America. In 1881, King George of Greece, made him a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, this being the highest honor Greece could bestow. Member and president of the Archaeological Society of Athens. Author of, "A Historical Inquiry Concerning Henry Hudson" and other works. Honorary companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Member of the Cincinnati. Read's father was John M. Read, 1797-1874 and great grandfather was George Read, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
