Ernest Roumain (original) (raw)

Ernest Roumain was a public official in Haiti and served as its leading diplomat to the United States. He served as foreign minister and then in the cabinet of President of Haiti Boisrond Canal. Roumain served as Haiti's representative in France in 1859, succeeding Beaubrun Ardouin. He came to Washington D.C. in 1863, establishing Haiti's delegation to the U.S., and met with Abraham Lincoln and William Seward. A woman in attendance at an official dinner he attended found it difficult not to gawk and noted he spoke three languages and had refined manners. He moved to New York City the same year.