December 10, 2012

Presentation will focus on John Randolph Clay

by Joaquin Norman

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Rosa Garibaldi will give her insight into 19th century American diplomatic history next week during a presentation at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Garibaldi, a former Minister for Diplomatic Affairs of the Peruvian Embassy in Washington, D.C., will discuss former American diplomat John Randolph Clay at 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 17.

Garibaldi’s presentation, “John Randolph Clay:  United States Minister to Peru 1847-1860,” will be in the DeJarnett American Heritage Room on the third floor of Morris Library.

The event is free, and the public is welcome to attend.  The library’s Special Collection’s Research Center, where Garibaldi is conducting her research, is sponsoring the event.

Garibaldi currently teaches at the Peruvian Diplomatic Academy in Lima.

Clay served as U.S. Charge d’Affaires to Russia from 1836 to 1837, U.S. Charge d’Affaires to Peru from 1847 to 1853, and U.S. Minister to Peru from 1853 to 1860.  While ambassador to Peru, Clay's primary mission was to open doors to American trade, despite the fact that established European power and the traditional concession of monopoly contracts to favored companies was counter to American interests.