Thomas J. O'Brien (Michigan politician)

For other people of the same name, see Thomas J. O'Brien (disambiguation).

Thomas J. O'Brien (Michigan politician)
The Honorable Thomas J. O'Brien, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, in 1910.
U.S. Ambassador to Denmark
In office 1905–1907
President	Theodore Roosevelt
Preceded by	Laurits S. Swenson
Succeeded by	Maurice Francis Egan
U.S. Ambassador to Japan
In office 1907–1911
President	Theodore Roosevelt
Preceded by	Luke E. Wright
Succeeded by	Charles Page Bryan
U.S. Ambassador to Italy
In office 1911–1913
President	William Howard Taft
Preceded by	John G. A. Leishman
Succeeded by	Thomas Nelson Page
Personal details
Born	Thomas J. O'Brien (1842-07-30)30 July 1842 Jackson, Michigan
Died
Nationality	United States
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Delia Howard O'Brien (1848-1926)
Alma mater	University of Michigan

Thomas James O’Brien (July 30, 1842 – May 19, 1933) was a politician and diplomat from the U.S. state of Michigan.

O'Brien was born in Jackson, Michigan, on July 30, 1842, the son of Timothy O'Brien and Elizabeth Lander O'Brien. On September 4, 1873, he married Delia Howard (July 14, 1848 - January 22, 1926).

O'Brien was a lawyer by profession and a Republican politician. In 1883 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the office of Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. In 1896 and 1904 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention from Michigan.

Ambassador

O’Brien, a graduate of the University of Michigan law school, held the following posts as ambassador of the United States:

• Denmark, 1905–1907 (appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt)
• Japan, 1907–1911 (appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt)
• Italy, 1911–1913 (appointed by President William Howard Taft)

Death

O’Brien died on May 19, 1933. He is buried with his wife at Oakhill Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Sources

• The Political Graveyard: Thomas O’Brien
• United States Department of State: Chiefs of Mission by Country, 1778-2005
• Find-A-Grave Memorial: Thomas James O'Brien (1842-1933)
• Find-A-Grave Memorial: Delia Howard O'Brien (1848-1926)

External links

• Photo of grave of Thomas J. O'Brien
• Photo of grave of Delia Howard O'Brien

While serving as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, O'Brien (right center) looks on as Rear Admiral John Hubbard (right foreground) presents a loving cup to the Imperial Japanese Navy on behalf of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet in Tokyo, Japan, in January 1910 in recognition of the courtesy extended to the "Great White Fleet" during its October 1908 visit to Japan. Admiral Saitō Makoto (left foreground) accepts it; Admiral Heihachiro Togo is just beyond and to left of Saitō.

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Laurits S. Swenson	U.S. Ambassador to Denmark 1905–1907	Succeeded by Maurice Francis Egan
Preceded by Luke E. Wright	U.S. Ambassador to Japan 1907–1911	Succeeded by Charles Page Bryan
Preceded by John G. A. Leishman	U.S. Ambassador to Italy 1911–1913	Succeeded by Thomas Nelson Page