TERENCE ALPHONSO TODMAN
March 13, 1926 – August 13, 2014
CAREER AMBASSADOR
United States ambassador to six nations and THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO BE HEAD OF THE geographic division of the State Department was known for candor, adroit negotiating, and relentless efforts to bring more minorities to the Foreign Service.
Ambassador Terence Todman achieved the amazing diplomatic feat of being appointed on six different occasions in six different ambassadorial postings (Chad, 1969; Guinea, 1972; Costa Rica, 1974; Spain, 1978; Denmark, 1983, and, Argentina, 1989), giving him the distinction of being the Black American with the most such leadership posting.
Todman was fluent in Spanish, French, Arabic, Hindi, and Japanese. He married Doris Weston; they had four children.On August 13, 2014, Todman died at the age of 88, at a hospital in Saint Thomas.
Career Ambassador
Appointed: November 6, 1989