Born in New York State, USA.
While a merchant in New York, he served on the city's board of education and worked to found a free college open to all.
Around this time he travelled the seas of Asia on business.
He arrived at Shimoda as the first US consul general to Japan, setting up the consulate at Gyokusen-ji.
He went to Edo, met the shogun Tokugawa Iesada and pressed for the opening of trade.
He concluded the US–Japan Treaty of Amity and Commerce, an unequal treaty that denied Japan tariff autonomy and jurisdiction over foreigners.
Promoted to minister, he set up the legation at Zenpuku-ji in Azabu, Edo.
After his interpreter Heusken was murdered, Harris remained in Edo even when other envoys left.
He resigned and returned to America.
He died in New York.
Tokugawa NariakiEgawa HidetatsuKawaji ToshiakiraTakano ChōeiFujita TokoShimazu NariakiraYokoi ShōnanOgata Kōan
People of the Edo period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.