David Humphreys (soldier)

David Humphreys
Humphreys depicted in a portrait by Gilbert Stuart, circa 1808 to 1810
3rd United States Minister to Spain
In office September 10, 1797 – December 28, 1801
President	John Adams Thomas Jefferson
Preceded by	William Short
Succeeded by	Charles Pinckney
1st United States Minister to Portugal
In office May 13, 1791 – July 25, 1797
President	George Washington John Adams
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	William Loughton Smith
Personal details
Born	(1752-07-10)July 10, 1752 Derby, Connecticut Colony, British America
Died	February 21, 1818(1818-02-21) (aged 65) New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Resting place	Grove Street Cemetery
Spouse	Anne Frances Bulkeley
Education	Yale University (B.A., M.A.)
Occupation	Diplomat, poet, entrepreneur
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	Continental Army
Years of service	1776–1783
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/wars	American Revolutionary War Battle of Ridgefield Battle of Sag Harbor Yorktown campaign

David Humphreys (July 10, 1752 – February 21, 1818) was an American Revolutionary War colonel and aide de camp to George Washington, a secretary and intelligence agent for Benjamin Franklin in Paris, American minister to Portugal and then to Spain, entrepreneur who brought Merino sheep to America, and member of the Connecticut state legislature. He also was a prolific poet and author and a member of the Hartford Wits. As secretary and speechwriter to George Washington during his administration, Humphreys was the nation's first U.S. presidential speechwriter.