About Charles Ames Washburn
Lived 1822 – 1889 (aged 66–67). Charles Ames Washburn was an American politician, diplomat and writer.
Charles Ames Washburn (March 16, 1822 – January 26, 1889), also known as C. A. Washburn, was the U.S. Minister to Paraguay.
He was born in Livermore, Maine. He was the son of Israel Washburn Sr.; nephew of Reuel Washburn; brother of Israel Washburn, Jr., Elihu B. Washburne, Cadwallader C. Washburn and William D. Washburn. He went to California for the 1849 Gold Rush.
In 1854 in San Francisco, Washburn and Benjamin Franklin Washington fought a duel with rifles at forty paces. Washburn was severely wounded by the second shot fired at him. Neither died.
A member of the Republican Party, Washburn was later Presidential Elector for California, 1860; U.S. Diplomatic Commissioner to Paraguay, 1861–63; U.S. Minister to Paraguay, 1863–68; novelist; and inventor of an early typewriter.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Charles Ames Washburn?
American politician
When was Charles Ames Washburn born?
Charles Ames Washburn was born in 1822 in Livermore.
When did Charles Ames Washburn die?
Charles Ames Washburn died in 1889 in New York City.
What was Charles Ames Washburn's occupation?
Charles Ames Washburn was a politician, diplomat and writer.
What nationality was Charles Ames Washburn?
Charles Ames Washburn was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Charles Ames Washburn
· DBpedia: Charles Ames Washburn
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Charles Ames Washburn. https://biography.guide/charles-ames-washburn/
MLA: "Charles Ames Washburn." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/charles-ames-washburn/.
Chicago: "Charles Ames Washburn." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/charles-ames-washburn/.
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