Diplomat. He attended the University of Virginia and Columbian College (now George Washington University) Law School and became an attorney in Colorado. Bryan also served as editor of two newspapers and a member of the Colorado National Guard. In 1880 he served in the state House of Representatives. In 1882 he moved to Chicago and joined the Illinois National Guard, attaining the rank of colonel on the staffs of several governors. From 1888 to 1897 he served in the Illinois House of Representatives, and in 1891 and 1892 he was secretary to the commissioners of Chicago's World Columbian Exposition. In 1897 he was appointed Minister to China, but before being confirmed was appointed instead as Minister to Brazil, where he served from 1898 to 1902. In 1902 Bryan was appointed Minister to Switzerland, but did not begin his service there because he was named Minister to Portugal in 1903, serving until 1910 when he became Minister to Belgium. In 1911 he left his position in Brussels to become Ambassador to Japan, where he served until 1912, when he resigned because of illness. After returning to the United States, Bryan lived in retirement in Washington, DC, where he died of heart disease. He was a member of the Society of Cincinnati and the Sons of the American Revolution, and a charter member of the General Society of the War of 1812.
Diplomat. He attended the University of Virginia and Columbian College (now George Washington University) Law School and became an attorney in Colorado. Bryan also served as editor of two newspapers and a member of the Colorado National Guard. In 1880 he served in the state House of Representatives. In 1882 he moved to Chicago and joined the Illinois National Guard, attaining the rank of colonel on the staffs of several governors. From 1888 to 1897 he served in the Illinois House of Representatives, and in 1891 and 1892 he was secretary to the commissioners of Chicago's World Columbian Exposition. In 1897 he was appointed Minister to China, but before being confirmed was appointed instead as Minister to Brazil, where he served from 1898 to 1902. In 1902 Bryan was appointed Minister to Switzerland, but did not begin his service there because he was named Minister to Portugal in 1903, serving until 1910 when he became Minister to Belgium. In 1911 he left his position in Brussels to become Ambassador to Japan, where he served until 1912, when he resigned because of illness. After returning to the United States, Bryan lived in retirement in Washington, DC, where he died of heart disease. He was a member of the Society of Cincinnati and the Sons of the American Revolution, and a charter member of the General Society of the War of 1812.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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