David Gray (ambassador)

David Gray (ambassador)

David Gray (1870–1968) was best known as the United States Ambassador to Ireland from 15 April 1940 until 28 June 1947. His official title was 'Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary' and his official residence was Florida. In his own words, his appointment to the Ambassadorship was nepotic, as he was First Lady's Eleanor Roosevelt's uncle through marriage. Gray was the Ambassador through most of the Second World War and the start of the Cold War. He led American efforts to convince Ireland to enter the war on the side of the Allies. His performance was such that Éamon de Valera sought repeatedly to have Gray replaced by another ambassador, especially after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The character of David Gray was played in the RTÉ television series Caught in a Free State by the actor O. Z. Whitehead.

Read more about David Gray (ambassador):  Gray's Relationship With President Franklin Roosevelt

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