George R. Merrell

George Robert Merrell Jr. (July 13, 1898 – December 16, 1962) was an American diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Ethiopia and United States Ambassador to Afghanistan. During his diplomatic career he served in Haiti, China, India, and Afghanistan.

Early life

George Robert Merrell Jr. was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 13, 1898. During World War I he served in the United States Army.

On January 18, 1936, Merrell married Nathalie Bishop Choate, but Choate later filed for divorce in 1939. She accused Merrell of cruelty and was given the divorce after an eight minute trial.

Career

In 1921, Merrell became a diplomat for the United States. From March 1924 to October 26, he served as the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim to Haiti. In April 1935, Merrell became the First Secretary of the United States Legation in Peiping, China. On September 20, he was promoted to consul general and October 25, he was appointed to simultaneously serve as the Consul General in Kabul, Afghanistan. In 1945, Merrell was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to serve as the United States Minister to India and was approved by the United States Senate on February 27.

On April 15, 1947, President Harry S. Truman appointed Merrell to replace Felix Cole as the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. Henry F. Grady was appointed to succeed Merrell as the United States Ambassador to India. On May 14, the United States Senate approved his nomination and he presented his credentials on January 1, 1948.