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Townsend Harris: Who is Townsend Harris?

This research guide is intended to help you locate print and electronic resources on Townsend Harris accessible in the CCNY Archives and libraries, as well as from off campus.

Who is Townsend Harris?

Harris in young days

Who was Townsend Harris?   

Born on October 3, 1804, in the town of Sandy Hill (now Hudson Falls), New York, Townsend Harris (1804-1878) was the founder of the City College of New York and the first American diplomatic representative in Japan, who negotiated the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the U.S. and Japan. Harris was one of the key players in the U.S.-Japan history.   


タウンゼンド・ハリスとは?

タウンゼンド・ハリス (1804-1878) は1804年10月3日、サンディ・ヒル (現ハドソン・フォールズ) に生まれました。シティ・カレッジを創立後、初代駐日アメリカ合衆国公使となり、日米修好通商条約を締結させました。200年以上続いた鎖国を終わらせ、日本を開国へ導いた、日米の歴史上、重要な人物です。

Librarian/Chief of Cataloging & MPC Division