How to Address a Former President of the United States (original) (raw)

ON-LINE GUIDE TO FORMS OF ADDRESS * * * BLOG: Robert HIckey Answers Questions From On-Line Users * * * VIDEO of Robert Hickey * * * About the book: HONOR & RESPECT
Abbess, Christian Orthodox Abbot, Christian Orthodox Accountant Acting Official Adjutant General Admiral, Rear Alderman Archbishop, Catholic Archbishop, Christian Orthodox Archdeacon, Episcopal Archimandrite Architect Archpriest Ambassador to the U.S. from a foreign country Ambassador of the U.S. American Indian Chief Assemblyman U.S., State / or Assemblywoman Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice of a State Supreme Court Attorney Attorney General Attorney, U.S. Australian Officials Baron, Baroness British Officials, Royalty, Nobility Brother, Catholic Brother, Christian Orthodox Bishop, Catholic Bishop, Christian Orthodox Bishop, Episcopal Board Member Boy Brigadier General Canadian Officials Candidate Captain, USA, USAF, USMC Cardinal Chairman Federal Reserve Chaplain in the Armed Services Chaplain of Congress Chargé d’Affaires Chief Executive Officer Chief Judge Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, of a State Supreme Court Chief of Police Chief of Staff Chief Operating Officer Child Clergy & Religious Officials Colonel, "Honorary" Kentucky, or other state/organization Colonel, USA, USAF, or USMC Congressman, U.S. Congresswoman, U.S. Consul and or Consul General Commissioner Corporate Executive Councilman Councilwoman Counselor (Diplomat) Countess Couples Curator Dalai Lama Deacon Dean, academic Dean, clergy Deceased Persons Delegate, U.S., State Dentist Deputy Chief of Mission Deputy Marshal Designate, Elect, Pro Tempore Diplomats District Attorney Doctor of Dentistry Doctor of Medicine Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Doctor of Osteopathy Doctor, Other Disciplines Doctorate Doctorate, honorary Earl Elect, Designate Pro Tempore Eminence Etiquette Excellency Fiancee First, Second, Third_, etc._ First Lady, Spouse of the President of the United States First Lady, Member of Her White House Staff First Lady, Spouse of a Governor or Lt. Gov. First Lieutenant Flag Protocol Former Officials Freeholder Geshe General USA, USAF, USMC Girl Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Lt., Spouse Governor, Tribal Council Governor, U.S. State Governor, Former Governor Spouse of Governor's Staff, Member of Governors, Board of Honorable, The Honorary degrees Honourable, The Indian Chief Inspector General Introductions Invitations Writing & Addressing Invitations Military: Writing & Addressing Judge of US City or US Count Judge, US Federal Junior, Senior, I, II, III, etc. Justice, Associate Federal Supreme Court Justice, Associate State Supreme Court King Knight Late, The (deceased persons) Lawyer Lieutenant Lieutenant Colonel , USA, USAF, USMC Lieutenant General, USA, USAF, USMC Lieutenant Governor Major USA, USAF, USMC Major General, USA, USAF, USMC Man, business Man, social Marquess or Marchioness Married Women Marshal for a Judicial District, U.S. Mayor of a U.S. City Medic Minister, Protestant Clergy Miss Monk, Christian Orthodox Monsignor Most Reverend, The Mother Superior Mr. (Social) Mr. (Business) Mrs. Mr. & Mrs. / Couples Ms. Name Tags Nobility, British Nobility, Other Nun, Catholic Nun, Orthodox Nurse Officer, Police Pastor, Christian Clergy Patriarch, Christian Orthodox Patriarch, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople People with Two Titles Petty Officer Physician PhD Place Cards Police Chief Police Officer Pope, Catholic Pope, Coptic Postmaster General Post-Nominal Abbreviations Presbyter, Orthodox President, corporate President of College or University President of a US State Assembly President (current) of the U.S.A. President (former) of the U.S.A. President of the U.S.A., spouse ofPresident-elect of the U.S. Priest, Catholic Priest, Christian Orthodox Prime Minister Professionals & Academics Professor Pro Tempore, Elect, Designate Queen Rabbi Ranger, Texas Representative, U.S., Federal Representative, U.S., State Resident Commissioner Retired Military1. Formula For How to Address 2. Q&A / Blog On Use of Rank by Retired Military 3. Q&A / Blog on How to Address Retired Military Reverend, The Right Reverend, The School Board Member Second Lieutenant Secretary, U.S. Department, Member of the Cabinet Secretary of Defense, U.S. Secretary General of the U.N. Senator, U.S., Federal Senator, U.S., State Senator, Canadian Senior, Junior, I, II, III, etc. Senior Judge Sergeant Sergeant at Arms Sheriff Sister, Catholic Solicitor General Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Specialist Spouse of the President of the U.S. Spouse of the Vice President of the U.S. Surgeon General Texas Ranger The Honorable Tribal Officials Two Titles, Person With US Attorney US Federal Officials US State Officials US Municipal Officials Venerable, The Veteran (not Retired) Veterinarian Very Reverend, The Vice President of the U.S. Spouse of the Vice President of the U.S. Vice President-elect of the U.S. Viscount and/or Viscountess Warrant Officer Widow White House Staff Woman, business Woman, social

ON-LINE GUIDE TO FORMS OF ADDRESS * * * BLOG: Robert HIckey Answers Questions From On-Line Users * * * VIDEO of Robert Hickey * * * About the book: HONOR & RESPECT

Abbess, Christian Orthodox Abbot, Christian Orthodox Accountant Acting Official Adjutant General Admiral, Rear Alderman Archbishop, Catholic Archbishop, Christian Orthodox Archdeacon, Episcopal Archimandrite Architect Archpriest Ambassador to the U.S. from a foreign country Ambassador of the U.S. American Indian Chief Assemblyman U.S., State / or Assemblywoman Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice of a State Supreme Court Attorney Attorney General Attorney, U.S. Australian Officials Baron, Baroness British Officials, Royalty, Nobility Brother, Catholic Brother, Christian Orthodox Bishop, Catholic Bishop, Christian Orthodox Bishop, Episcopal Board Member Boy Brigadier General Canadian Officials Candidate Captain, USA, USAF, USMC Cardinal Chairman Federal Reserve Chaplain in the Armed Services Chaplain of Congress Chargé d’Affaires Chief Executive Officer Chief Judge Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, of a State Supreme Court Chief of Police Chief of Staff Chief Operating Officer Child Clergy & Religious Officials Colonel, "Honorary" Kentucky, or other state/organization Colonel, USA, USAF, or USMC Congressman, U.S. Congresswoman, U.S. Consul and or Consul General Commissioner Corporate Executive Councilman Councilwoman Counselor (Diplomat) Countess Couples Curator Dalai Lama Deacon Dean, academic Dean, clergy Deceased Persons Delegate, U.S., State Dentist Deputy Chief of Mission Deputy Marshal Designate, Elect, Pro Tempore Diplomats District Attorney Doctor of Dentistry Doctor of Medicine Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Doctor of Osteopathy Doctor, Other Disciplines Doctorate Doctorate, honorary Earl Elect, Designate Pro Tempore Eminence Etiquette Excellency Fiancee First, Second, Third_, etc._ First Lady, Spouse of the President of the United States First Lady, Member of Her White House Staff First Lady, Spouse of a Governor or Lt. Gov. First Lieutenant Flag Protocol Former Officials Freeholder Geshe General USA, USAF, USMC Girl Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Lt., Spouse Governor, Tribal Council Governor, U.S. State Governor, Former Governor Spouse of Governor's Staff, Member of Governors, Board of Honorable, The Honorary degrees Honourable, The Indian Chief Inspector General Introductions Invitations Writing & Addressing Invitations Military: Writing & Addressing Judge of US City or US Count Judge, US Federal Junior, Senior, I, II, III, etc. Justice, Associate Federal Supreme Court Justice, Associate State Supreme Court King Knight Late, The (deceased persons) Lawyer Lieutenant Lieutenant Colonel , USA, USAF, USMC Lieutenant General, USA, USAF, USMC Lieutenant Governor Major USA, USAF, USMC Major General, USA, USAF, USMC Man, business Man, social Marquess or Marchioness Married Women Marshal for a Judicial District, U.S. Mayor of a U.S. City Medic Minister, Protestant Clergy Miss Monk, Christian Orthodox Monsignor Most Reverend, The Mother Superior Mr. (Social) Mr. (Business) Mrs. Mr. & Mrs. / Couples Ms. Name Tags Nobility, British Nobility, Other Nun, Catholic Nun, Orthodox Nurse Officer, Police Pastor, Christian Clergy Patriarch, Christian Orthodox Patriarch, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople People with Two Titles Petty Officer Physician PhD Place Cards Police Chief Police Officer Pope, Catholic Pope, Coptic Postmaster General Post-Nominal Abbreviations Presbyter, Orthodox President, corporate President of College or University President of a US State Assembly President (current) of the U.S.A. President (former) of the U.S.A. President of the U.S.A., spouse ofPresident-elect of the U.S. Priest, Catholic Priest, Christian Orthodox Prime Minister Professionals & Academics Professor Pro Tempore, Elect, Designate Queen Rabbi Ranger, Texas Representative, U.S., Federal Representative, U.S., State Resident Commissioner Retired Military1. Formula For How to Address 2. Q&A / Blog On Use of Rank by Retired Military 3. Q&A / Blog on How to Address Retired Military Reverend, The Right Reverend, The School Board Member Second Lieutenant Secretary, U.S. Department, Member of the Cabinet Secretary of Defense, U.S. Secretary General of the U.N. Senator, U.S., Federal Senator, U.S., State Senator, Canadian Senior, Junior, I, II, III, etc. Senior Judge Sergeant Sergeant at Arms Sheriff Sister, Catholic Solicitor General Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Specialist Spouse of the President of the U.S. Spouse of the Vice President of the U.S. Surgeon General Texas Ranger The Honorable Tribal Officials Two Titles, Person With US Attorney US Federal Officials US State Officials US Municipal Officials Venerable, The Veteran (not Retired) Veterinarian Very Reverend, The Vice President of the U.S. Spouse of the Vice President of the U.S. Vice President-elect of the U.S. Viscount and/or Viscountess Warrant Officer Widow White House Staff Woman, business Woman, social

How to Address a Former President of the United States FYI, here is what's come in to the Blog that relates to this office/rank. For recent questions sent in, check out Robert Hickey's Blog. For specific offices/ranks, check out Robert Hickey's On-Line Guide. Link to Q&A just on How to Address the Current President Is a Former PresidentAddressed as President (name)? I have been directing people to refer the current president as "The President" per Letitia Baldridge's book. And to refer to former presidents as President (last name). Is that correct or am confused? _--- Anna McDonald, Stafford, Virginia_Dear Ms. McDonald:THE CURRENT PRESIDENT I agree with Ms. Baldridge ... the current President is referred to as "The President". E.g., you would say The President will arrive in 10 minutes or Good evening Mr. President ... Both of those are perfect. All this is covered in my book by the way: President of the United States Note: While the President is referred to as President (surname) in the media, the President’s name is never used in his or her presence. Envelope, official: The President The White House Washington, DC 20500Letter salutation: Dear Mr./Madam President:Conversation: Mr./Madam PresidentA FORMER PRESIDENT This issue is complicated since we hear former President's referred to as President Clinton and President Bush on the media all the time; Here's what is actually correct: Former President of the United States Envelope, official: The Honorable (Full name) (Address) Letter salutation: Dear Mr./Ms. (surname):Conversation: Mr./Ms. (surname) This is the traditional approach for any office of which there is only one office-holder at a time. So, with officials such as mayors, governors or presidents ... only the current office holder is addressed as Mr. Mayor, Governor , orMr. President ... formers are not officially addressed that way. That's not to say some reporter might not call a former mayor Mayor Smith or a former president President (Surname) ... but formally and officially these are incorrect. With offices of which are many office-holders at a time ... senators, admirals, judges, etc. ... former office holders DO continue to be formally address in the former style, since it's not disrespectful to a singular, current office holder. To explain the correct form I would say "using the title of a former position is flattering to the former official and he or she may not correct you, but is not respectful to the current office holder. There's only one "(name of the office)" at a time." -- Robert HickeyHow to Address a Former President of the United States in Conversation? Greeting from Canada. I will meet President Clinton in a few weeks in person. What would I call him when I meet him or when I introduce others to him: Mr. Clinton, or President Clinton? Thanks for your help. -- Politico, Toronto Hi Politico: Our former Presidents of the United States are most formally directly addressed as Mr. (Name) ... not as President (name) ... and they are identified as "the former President of the United States". You will hear the media say President Clinton in a news story to be clear who is being discussed, and because the media does it, that form is widely thought by many to be the correct form of address. But it's not the traditional form. The correct form for formal introduction -- e.g. from a podium before his speech to the audience would be something like ... It is my pleasure to introduce The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton -- but you wouldn't address him that way in conversation. In conversation address him as Mr. Clinton. In an introduction to just one person you can say Mr. Clinton may I present... -- Robert HickeyHow to Address Former President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Chelsea & Chelsea's fiancé? Hi, Robert! As you know, I sing with Lionheart – and we sang at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last night. We were surprised by some special audience members – Bill and Hillary Clinton, Chelsea and Chelsea's fiancé. Lionheart would like to send them a note thanking them for coming to come hear us. To whom should it be addressed? and what would be the proper salutation? I know it's “Mr. Clinton” and not “President Clinton”, but I'm not sure how to handle a mix of current office-holder, past President, daughter and daughter's fiancé all at once: “Dear Clintons,”? -- Kurt-Owen Richards, The bass-baritone in Lionheart Hi Kurt: It’s great that the Clintons came to hear you. I enjoyed your concert at The Cloisters earlier this month. This is probably the most frequently asked question I get, though you are the FIRST PERSON who wasn't asking it as a rhetorical question! The Clintons: For a social envelope it would be .... The Honorable William Clinton The Honorable Hillary Clinton and Ms. Chelsea Clinton (Address) You could add "Jefferson" -- his middle name ... and "Rodham" to hers if you want to. The salutation would be Dear Mr. Clinton, Madame Secretary, and Ms. Clinton, Bill is first because former Presidents are #5 on the White House Precedence List ... and current Secretaries of State are #6. I include a version of the White House Precedence List in my book to look up precisely this kind of thing. The Fiance: His note would be addressed to him individually since he’s not a member of the family (yet). You don’t mention his name (I don’t know it and didn’t know she was engaged, actually) but he’d be a “Mr. (full name)” unless you know he’s a “Dr.” or something. If you don’t know his address mentioning his presence in the note to the Clintons would probably do. -- Robert Hickey **How to Address an Invitation's Inside Envelope to The Clintons?**Dear Mr. Hickey, I just received your book and it is a wealth of information! I am addressing a wedding invitation to the Clinton's. I understand, per your answer, that the outer envelope would be addressed as follows: The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton and The Honorable Hillary Rodham ClintonWould the inner envelope be addressed Mr. and Mrs. Clinton? -- Many thanks, Claudia Dear Ms. Engle Really happy you are finding the book useful. Since you have it ... here's where where you should look to find the answers to your questions: Refer to the precedence on page 122 to see that a former President has higher precedence than a current Secretary of State, so you know whose name goes first. See on page 167 for the inside-envelope form for a former president See on page 170 for the inside-envelope form for the inside envelope for a secretary of a department. Having looked that those .... you would write: Mr. Clinton and The Secretary of State -- Robert Hickey How To List an Former President of the United States? Thank you for your site. I find it very useful. We have an event coming up in May and I want to be sure I have listed the public officials correctly in the program. I’m not quite sure how to list former President George W. Bush. My inclination is to list him has Former President George W. Bush. Is this correct? Your advice is greatly appreciated! -- SS., American Wind Energy Association, Washington, DC Dear SS: Listing officials in a program is a bit different that addressing them directly, but if you want to use the form used in direct address ... it is absolutely O.K. Former presidents are The Honorable: The Honorable George W. Bush Not sure you need to identify that he's a former president .... but if you need to list something after his name, consider ... 43rd President of the United States Former President of the United States President of the United States, 2001-2009 Let me know it this helps. I hate being left in the dark! -- Robert Hickey How to Refer to a Former President and First Lady in Text? I was thrilled to get your book as a gift. I am enlisting your advice on the correct way to phrase the following message: [Company X ] commends the leadership, dedication, and commitment of former president George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush in their efforts to provide hope for cancer patients in their fight against cancer. -- Nelson Jacques Dear Mr. Jacques: Most formally it would be: The [Company X] commends the leadership, dedication, and commitment of The Honorable George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush in their efforts to provide hope for cancer patients in their fight against cancer. 1. It's not necessary to identify that he was The President and she was the First Lady. 2. Like Hilary Clinton, Mrs. Bush liked to be referred to by her first and last name .... "Laura Bush" .... so also consider: The [Company X] commends the leadership, dedication, and commitment of The Honorable George W. Bush and Laura Bush in their efforts to provide hope for cancer patients in their fight against cancer. -- Robert Hickey **How to Refer to a Former President of the United States?**Mr. Hickey, I learned forms of address before there were television "readers' who changed har-rass;' to har'-rass, gri-mace" to grim'ace, recently tried to change distri'-buted to "dis'-tributed" and spoke of then-president of the United States George W. Bush as "Mr. Bush", yet called former President Clinton, "President Clinton." In the 1940s, I was taught that judges and senators were entitled to continue using their titles because there are many judges and senators, but since there is only one president at a time, a former president resumed an earlier title held by him. Thus, it is correct to refer to William Jefferson Clinton as "former President of the United States," but one should address him as "Governor Clinton." You, I am certain, are much younger than I (practically everyone is!) and more cognizant of today's forms of address, so I would appreciate it if you would bring me up to date. _--- Mrs. S.L.S._Hi Mrs. S.L.S. What you hear in the media are not forms of address: they are reporters specifying for clarity in the third person a person in the context of their story. So, referring to "President Clinton" "President Kennedy" and "President Obama" are all clear ways of referring to a person in a written story or newscast. In direct address "Mr. President" is still correct ... and IS USED CURRENTLY at the White House by The President's staff, government officials, and members of the diplomatic corp. The one-at-a-time rule continues to be correct. Eisenhower went back to "General Eisenhower" -- as you note -- there are plenty of generals. Plenty of admirals, senators, and judges too. In Arkansas there is only one Governor at a time so I wouldn't call him "Governor Clinton" The correct form of direct address would be "Mr. Clinton." In a formal introduction from a podium you could identify him as The Honorable (full name), former Governor of Arkansas (year-to-year) and the 42nd President of the United States. Note: There's a concept of a 'courtesy title' in which the continued use of an official honorific is circumstantial: some officials do just love to keep their titles as "a courtesy." I understand that Nixon was called "Mr. President" by his staff in private for the remainder of his life. But in Washington, in the presence of a current president, he would have been "Mr. Nixon." OR -- I've seen Newt Gingrich referred to on the Sunday morning news shows as "Speaker Gingrich." It is wrong. He was "Mr. Speaker." Now he is "Mr. Gingrich, former Speaker of the House." I am certain he knows it's not correct, but for whatever reason he did not correct them. -- Robert Hickey

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