David Humphreys | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Gilbert_Stuart_-_Colonel_David_Humphreys_(1752-1818),_B.A._1771,_M.A._1774_-_1830.1_-_Yale_University_Art_Gallery.jpg) Humphreys depicted in a portrait by Gilbert Stuart, c. 1808–1810 | |
| 3rd United States Minister to Spain | |
| In office September 10, 1797 – December 28, 1801 | |
| President | John Adams Thomas Jefferson |
| Preceded by | William Short |
| Succeeded by | Charles Pinckney |
| 1st United States Minister to Portugal | |
| In office May 13, 1791 – July 25, 1797 | |
| President | George Washington John Adams |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | William Loughton Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 10, 1752 Derby, Connecticut Colony, British America |
| Died | February 21, 1818 (aged 65) New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Resting place | Grove Street Cemetery |
| Spouse | Anne Frances Bulkeley |
| Education | Yale University (B.A., M.A.) |
| Occupation | Diplomat, poet, entrepreneur |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | Continental Army |
| Years of service | 1776–1783 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Battles/wars | |
David Humphreys (July 10, 1752 – February 21, 1818) was an American Revolutionary War colonel and aide de camp to George Washington, a secretary and intelligence agent for Benjamin Franklin in Paris, American minister to Portugal and then to Spain, entrepreneur who brought Merino sheep to America, and member of the Connecticut state legislature. He also was a prolific poet and author and a member of the Hartford Wits. As secretary and speechwriter to George Washington during his administration, Humphreys was the nation's first U.S. presidential speechwriter.