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Charles Richard CraneAmerican industrialist and diplomat
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- Diplomatic Career
- Russian Connections
- Involvement in Russian Revolution
- Ambassador to China
- Art Collector and Patron
- Assistance to Harvard University
Early Life and Career
Charles Crane was born into a wealthy industrial family in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Richard Teller Crane, owned a successful plumbing and elevator manufacturing company. Charles worked in his father's company and became a successful businessman himself.
Diplomatic Career
In 1909, Crane was appointed by President Taft as a special envoy to China. However, his outspoken criticism of a Japanese-Chinese treaty led to the cancellation of his appointment.
Russian Connections
Crane traveled extensively to Russia and the Soviet Union, where he became acquainted with prominent scholars and political figures, including Maxim Kovalevsky, Pavel Milyukov, and Tomáš Masaryk. He also met Patriarch Tikhon during his service in America.
Involvement in Russian Revolution
After the February Revolution in 1917, Crane returned to Russia and served as a member of the Root Commission. He opposed the Bolshevik regime and later assisted Russian émigrés.
Ambassador to China
In 1920-1921, Crane served as the American ambassador to China. He was involved in the negotiations surrounding the partition of Turkey.
Art Collector and Patron
Crane was an avid collector of Russian art, amassing a significant collection of icons, paintings, and sculptures by artists such as Vasily Vereshchagin, Ivan Bilibin, and Filipp Malyavin. He also commissioned works from Nikolai Roerich and Alfons Mucha.
Assistance to Harvard University
When the Danilov Monastery in Moscow was looted, Crane purchased the bells from the monastery's belfry and donated them to Harvard University.
