Wellington Koo

Chinese Ambassador to the United States

29 January 1888 Shanghai, Qing Dynasty

14 November 1985(1985-11-14) (97) New York City, New York, United States

27 June 1946 – 21 March 1956

Republic of China diplomat In this Chinese name, the family name is Koo. Wellington Koo顧維鈞 V.K. Wellington Koo in 1945Chinese Ambassador to the United StatesIn office 27 June 1946 – 21 March 1956Preceded by Wei Tao-mingSucceeded by Hollington TongPresident of the Republic of China ActingIn office 1 October 1926 – 16 June 1927Preceded by Du Xigui (acting)Succeeded by Zhang Zuolin (as Generalissimo of the Military Government)Premier of the Republic of China ActingIn office 1 October 1926 – 16 June 1927Preceded by Du Xigui (acting)Succeeded by Pan FuIn office 2 July 1924 – 14 September 1924PresidentCao KunPreceded by Sun Pao-ch´iSucceeded by Yan Huiqing Personal detailsBorn(1888-01-29 ) 29 January 1888 Shanghai, Qing DynastyDied14 November 1985(1985-11-14) (aged 97) New York City, New York, United StatesNationalityChinesePolitical partyKuomintang (1942-1985)Spouse(s)Zhang Run'e (m. 1908, div. before 1912) Tang Baoyue (m. 1913–1918, her death) Oei Hui-lan ​ ​(m. 1920; div. 1958)​ Juliana Young Koo ​(m. 1959)​ChildrenGu Dechang, Gu Juzhen, Gu Yuchang, Gu FuchangAlma materColumbia University (BA, MA, PhD)OccupationDiplomat, politicianAwardsOrder of the Precious Brilliant Golden Grain Wellington KooTraditional Chinese顧維鈞 Simplified Chinese顾维钧 TranscriptionsStandard MandarinHanyu PinyinGù Wéijūn Gwoyeu RomatzyhGuh Weijiun Wade–GilesKu Wei-chün WuRomanizationKu Vi-ciuin Koo Vi Kyuin (Chinese: 顧維鈞 ; pinyin: Gù Wéijūn ; Wade–Giles: Ku Wei-chün ; 29 January 1888 – 14 November 1985), better known as V. K. Wellington Koo, was a statesman of the Republic of China. He was one of Republic of China's representatives at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. Wellington Koo served as an ambassador to France, Great Britain and the United States; was a participant in the founding of the League of Nations and the United Nations; and sat as a judge on the International Court of Justice in The Hague from 1957 to 1967. Between October 1926 and June 1927, while serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Koo briefly held the concurrent positions of acting Premier and interim President of the Republic of China. Koo was the first Chinese head of state known to use a Western name publicly.