James Mark Sullivan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Mark Sullivan
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| United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic | |
| In office September 23, 1913 – June 20, 1915 |
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| President | Woodrow Wilson |
| Preceded by | William W. Russell |
| Succeeded by | William W. Russell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 6, 1873 |
| Died | August 15, 1935 (aged 62) St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. |
James Mark Sullivan (born January 6, 1873 – died August 15, 1935) was an American lawyer. He served as a special representative for the United States in the Dominican Republic. This was during the time of President Woodrow Wilson. He was also involved in events related to Irish independence.
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Who Was James Mark Sullivan?
James Mark Sullivan was a person who played several important roles in his life. He was a lawyer, a diplomat, and even helped start a film company. His life story includes moving from Ireland to the United States and working with important political figures.
Early Life and Career
James Mark Sullivan was born in County Kerry, Ireland, on January 6, 1873. When he was a boy, he moved to the United States with his family. In the U.S., he studied and became a lawyer. He also worked as a promoter for boxing matches. In 1910, he married Ellen O'Mara.
In March 1916, James and his wife Ellen, along with Henry M. Fitzgibbon, started a company called the Film Company of Ireland. This company made movies. Sadly, in 1919, his son got sick, and then Ellen also caught the illness and passed away. The film company stopped making new movies the next year after finishing the ones they were working on.
A Diplomat in the Caribbean
President Woodrow Wilson chose James Mark Sullivan to be a special representative for the United States. His official title was Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. This meant he was a high-ranking diplomat. He worked in Santo Domingo, which is the capital of the Dominican Republic.
He served during a difficult time in the history of the Dominican Republic. He started his job on August 12, 1913, and left on June 20, 1915. At one point, he was even called back to Washington, D.C., because his work was not seen as completely successful.
A Surprising News Story
In August 1920, something unusual happened. Several American newspapers, including the Hartford Courant, mistakenly reported that James Mark Sullivan had died. The Hartford Courant even printed his obituary on the front page. An obituary is a notice about someone's death. They called him "the diplomat of the tropics."
However, three days later, the newspaper printed a correction. They told everyone that the report was wrong and had come from another newspaper. It turned out he was still alive!
Later Life and Legacy
James Mark Sullivan was a friend of Michael Collins, who was a very important leader in Ireland's fight for independence.
Fifteen years after the mistaken death report, in August 1935, James Mark Sullivan actually passed away. He died in St. Petersburg, Florida, on August 15, 1935. The Hartford Courant newspaper, which had reported his death by mistake years earlier, then printed the correct news. They remembered him as a very interesting person in the history of Connecticut.
