Edgar Bancroft


Edgar Addison Bancroft was an American lawyer and diplomat. He served as United States Ambassador to Japan from 1924 to 1925.

Early life

Bancroft was born in Galesburg, Illinois. He was educated at Knox College and the Columbia University Law School.
His brother, Frederic, was a noted historian. He was also related to Aaron Bancroft, a biographer of George Washington, and to George Bancroft, a diplomat and historian.

Career

Bancroft was counsel for the Santa Fe Railway and the International Harvester Co.. In 1919 he was appointed to the Chicago Commission on Race Relations.
President Calvin Coolidge named him Ambassador to Japan during a recess of the Senate on September 23, 1924. Ambassador Bancroft presented his credentials to the Japanese government on November 19, 1924. His appointment was subsequently confirmed by the Senate on Jan 21, 1925.
Ambassador Bancroft died in Japan on July 27, 1925. As a gesture of good-will, the Japanese government sent the light cruiser to San Pedro in California with his remains.

Selected works

In a statistical overview derived from writings by and about Edgar Bancroft, OCLC/WorldCat encompasses roughly 40+ works in 50+ publications in 2 languages and 200+ library holdings.