born Nov. 14, 1820, New Berlin, N.Y., U.S.
died Feb. 23, 1870, St. Petersburg, Russia
U.S. diplomat.
He served in the U.S. House of Representatives (1855–61) and helped found the Republican Party . As U.S. minister to China (1861–67), he implemented a policy of cooperation between China and the Western powers. He so impressed the Chinese government that in 1867 he was appointed imperial envoy to conduct China's international relations. He concluded the Burlingame Treaty, which established reciprocal rights of Chinese and U.S. citizens.
Burlingame, detail of an engraving by Perine & Giles, late 19th century.
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.