Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Whitlock, Brand

WHITLOCK, BRAND, an American writer and diplomat; born in Urbana, O., in 1869. After a common school education he entered the field of journalism in Toledo, O., but, in 1890, went to Chicago to join the staff of the Chicago “Herald.” Three years later he became a clerk in the office of the secretary of state of Illinois. During this period he studied law and was admitted to the bar of Illinois in 1894 and, in 1897, to the bar of Ohio. He began to practice law in Toledo, where he was elected mayor in 1905, being re-elected to the same office for three other terms. Under his administration a new charter was granted the city and such innovations as the initiative, the referendum, the recall of public officials, and direct nominations were instituted. Meanwhile he was also becoming known as a regular contributor to major American magazines, both as a writer of verse and of prose articles. In 1913 he was appointed Minister to Belgium, where he distinguished himself for his expert handling of the situation during the World War. War having been declared against Germany by the United States in April, 1917, Mr. Whitlock was recalled, but after the signing of the armistice and the restoration of the Belgian Government, he returned to Brussels as Ambassador. Among his many works are: “Her Infinite Variety” (1904); “The Gold. Brick” (1910); “Belgium, a Personal Narrative” (1919).