The New International Encyclopædia/Straus, Oscar Solomon

STRAUS, strous, Oscar Solomon (1850—). An American diplomat, born at Otterberg, in Rhenish Bavaria. He came to the United States in 1854, and lived in Georgia until the close of the Civil War. He was educated at Columbia University. In 1887-89 he was Minister to Turkey, and so distinguished himself that in 1897 he was reappointed to the same position by President McKinley, remaining there till 1900. On January 14, 1902, he was named a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague to fill the place left vacant by the death of ex-President Harrison. His published works include: The Origin of the Republican Form of Government in the United States (1886); Roger Williams, the Pioneer of Religious Liberty (1894); The Development of Religious Liberty in the United States (1896); and Reform in the Consular Service (1897).