Theodore Brentano

Theodore Brentano (March 29, 1854 – July 2, 1940) was an American attorney and judge and the first U.S. ambassador to Hungary (his full title was "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary"). He was appointed to the position by Warren G. Harding.

Early life and career

Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Lorenzo Brentano and his wife Caroline, Theodore Brentano was educated in Chicago, Dresden and Zurich. He studied law at National University Law School (which later became George Washington University Law School). Brentano married Minnie Claussenius on May 17, 1887. He was admitted to the bar in 1882, became an assistant city attorney in 1888. Brentano remained on the bench for thirty-one years.

Superior Court of Cook County (1890–1921)

In November 1890, Brentano was elected to the Superior Court of Cook County (in Cook County, Illinois) to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Gwynne Garnett. Brentano was re-elected to a full six-year term in November 1891, and won further re-election in 1897, 1903 1910, and 1917. While on the court, he served for a time as its chief justice. Brentano remained on the bench for thirty-one years. As a judge, Brentano presided over the high-profile trial of Patrick Eugene Prendergast for the assassination of Carter Harrison III (the mayor of Chicago).

Editor of the Illinois Staats-Zeitung

In 1899 Brentano became the new treasurer and president of the Illinois Staats-Zeitung, the newspaper of which his father was editor during the Civil War, when the majority stockholders appointed a new board of directors and ousted former treasurer Charles Francis Pietsch.

Minister to Hungary (1922–1927)

Brentano was appointed as minister to Hungary on February 10, 1922, arrived in Budapest on May 10, presented his credentials on May 16, and served until May 6, 1927.