William Graves Sharp

William Graves Sharp
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 14th district
In office March 4, 1909 – July 23, 1914
Preceded by	J. Ford Laning
Succeeded by	Seward H. Williams
43 United States Ambassador to France
In office 1914–1919
President	Woodrow Wilson
Preceded by	Myron T. Herrick
Succeeded by	Hugh Campbell Wallace
Personal details
Born	March 14, 1859 Mount Gilead, Ohio
Died	November 17, 1922 (aged 63)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Hallie M. Clough
Alma mater	University of Michigan Law School

William Graves Sharp (March 14, 1859 – November 17, 1922) was an American lawyer, manufacturer, three-term congressman, and diplomat.

Biography

Sharp was born in Mount Gilead, Ohio. He graduated LL.B. from the Law Department of the University of Michigan in 1881 and then practiced law in Elyria, Ohio. He also engaged in the manufacture of charcoal, pig iron, and chemicals. From 1885–88 he was prosecuting attorney of Lorain County, Ohio.

He was a Democratic presidential elector in 1892, a Democratic candidate for Congress in 1900, and a member of the Sixty-first to the Sixty-third Congresses (1909–15), but resigned in 1914 to become Ambassador to France by appointment of President Wilson. He served until April 14, 1919, then returned to Elyria, Ohio, and engaged in literary pursuits. He died there November 17, 1922; interment in Ridgelawn Cemetery.

Sources

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Gilman, D. C.; Thurston, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1916). "SHARP, William Graves (1859- )". New International Encyclopedia XX (2d ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead. p. 793.

"SHARP, William Graves". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 8 June 2013.