Charles C. Hart

Born on a farm in Bryant, Indiana, in September 1878,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21753022/a_nice_biography_from_harts_former/ |title=Hoosier-born U. S. Minister is Acclaimed by Persians |last=Young |first=Herrick B. |date=February 9, 1930 |work=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=July 10, 2018 |page=3 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} Charles Calmer Hart was the son of a schoolteacher.{{Cite book |title=News for an Empire: The Story of the Spokesman Review of Spokane, Washington and of the Field It Serves |last=Dyar |first=Ralph E. |publisher=Caxton Printers |year=1952 |isbn=978-1-258-10726-0 |location=Caldwell, Idaho |pages=143–144 |oclc=186702336 }} His first jobs included farming and working in a factory.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21756792/congressional_run/ |title=Hart Runs for Congress |date=July 29, 1916 |work=The Colville Examiner |access-date=July 4, 2018 |page=4 |language=en-US}} Though he never attended high college or university, he became a printer's devil at the Geneva Herald, in Indiana, before joining the Muncie Star, now The Star Press.

In 1897,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21746758/chas_c_hart_obituary_arlington/ |title=Rites Are Set for C.C. Hart |date=November 26, 1957 |work=The Baltimore Sun |access-date=July 11, 2018 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} he moved west, and joined the staff of the San Francisco Call as a reporter, before enlisting in the United States Army.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21747428/hart_runs_for_congress_and_more_about/ |title=Newspaper Men in Field |date=February 8, 1914 |work=Durham Morning Herald |access-date=July 11, 2018 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}}

As a soldier, he served as a private in the Third Regiment of Artillery, either in Battery K,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21747494/news_of_the_regular_army_hart_was_a/ |title=News of the Regular Army |date=April 4, 1898 |work=San Francisco Call |access-date=July 10, 2018 |page=18 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} or Battery L.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21747307/how_hart_lost_his_leg/ |title=Soldier's Home |date=April 10, 1898 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 10, 2018 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} During his military service, Hart served as a guard on Alcatraz Island during its usage as Alcatraz Citadel, an Army prison,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21746644/minibiography_of_charles_calmer_hart/ |title=Charles Calmer Hart to Sell Historic Collection at Auction |date=February 23, 1947 |work=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=July 11, 2018 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} and was seriously injured: while climbing the steps of the lighthouse, possibly to paint the roof,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21752678/painting_the_roof_eh/ |title=News Writers Climb to Fame as U.S. Envoys |last=Authier |first=George F. |date=April 10, 1929 |work=Star Tribune |access-date=July 11, 2018 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} the stairwell gave way under him, dropping him thirty feet into the rocks below, fracturing his leg, which required the amputation of his leg below the knee.

Though there is some dispute regarding Hart's supposed service in the Spanish–American War,{{efn|The Swedish-language newspaper Vestkusten stated, in 1929, that "Han deltog i spanskamerikanska kriget", or, translated, "He [Hart] participated in the Spanish–American War";{{Cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=VEST19291024.2.7&srpos=7&e=01-01-1910-31-12-1956--en--50--1--txt-txIN-%22Charles+C.+Hart%22-------1 |title=Amerika-NYTT. |date=October 24, 1929 |work=Vestkusten |access-date=July 8, 2018 |issue=43 |language=Swedish |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection}} but the Durham Morning Herald, in 1914, reported that Hart was discharged a month before the declaration of war.}} it is known that Hart's injuries necessitated a year of convalescence, including some time at the Soldiers' Home. As a result of the amputation, he received a pension, and used a prosthetic foot and a cane for the rest of his life.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21813952/early_years_of_century_golden_age/ |title=Early Years of Century Golden Age Period of Magic City: Muncie People Build Despite Failure of Gas |last=Williamson |first=Robert L. |date=May 29, 1949 |work=The Star Press |access-date=July 12, 2018 |page=65 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}}

He soon returned home to Indiana, rejoining the Muncie Star, this time as an editor; he later joined The Indianapolis Star as an editor, as well; during this time, as a young reporter, he provided Gene Stratton-Porter with her first newspaper mention,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21747179/gene_strattonporter_etc_one_of_my/ |title=Hart Recovering at Navy Hospital |date=February 19, 1947 |work=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=July 4, 2018 |page=22 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} on the strength of her reporting in the Decatur Journal.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21811645/the_star_press/ |title=Hoosier-Born World Traveler, Former Diplomat, Tells of Gene Stratton-Porter's First Writeup |last=Watkins |first=Everett C. |date=April 5, 1942 |work=The Star Press |access-date=July 12, 2018 |pages=6–7 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} He next worked for other newspapers around the country, mainly in the West, including The Spokesman-Review, where he served as city editor;{{Cite magazine |date=April 9, 1910 |title=Nelson W. Durham |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7yVDAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA33 |magazine=Editor and Publisher |language=en-US |publisher=Editor & Publisher Company |volume=9 |issue=40 |page=2 |access-date=July 3, 2018}} and The Oregonian, where he served as a Washington, D.C. correspondent.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/11/26/archives/charles-c-hart-78-exnewsman-envoy.html |title=CHARLES C. HART, 78, EX-NEWSMAN, ENVOY |date=November 26, 1956 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 3, 2018 |language=en-US}} In addition, he was also a correspondent with the Boise-based Capital-News, and the Minneapolis Tribune,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21753095/minneapolis_tribune_too/ |title=Coolidge Names Charles C. Hart to Albania Post |date=May 29, 1925 |work=Albany Democrat-Herald |access-date=July 11, 2018 |page=1 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} the latter of which is now the Star Tribune.

While in Washington, furthermore, Hart served as the secretary of the National Press Club three times.{{Cite magazine |date=April 21, 1917 |title=Booming Hughes, Found Bride |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aolCAQAAIAAJ&pg=RA4-PA48 |magazine=Editor & Publisher |language=en-US |publisher=Editor & Publisher Company |volume=49 |issue=45 |page=48 |access-date=June 24, 2018}}

Hart was active in politics as a Republican. He supported Charles Evans Hughes during the 1916 presidential campaign, though his first candidate was Senator William Borah.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21747140/hart_before_marriage_city_editor/ |title=Would-Be President Maker's Romance Brings Wedding to Local Girl |date=April 22, 1917 |work=Star Tribune |access-date=July 11, 2018 |page=26 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} Additionally, for three years, he was the secretary and campaign manager for Republican progressive William La Follette.

Hart ran for Congress in 1916, in Washington's 5th congressional district,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21747547/hart_5th_cong_district/ |title=Washington State News of Interest |date=August 3, 1916 |work=Aberdeen Herald |access-date=July 10, 2018 |page=2 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} but lost the Republican primary.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/results_report.aspx |title=Election Search Results - Elections & Voting |website=Washington Secretary of State |access-date=2018-07-06}} In November, Clarence Dill, one of his former reporters, was re-elected.

On April 21, 1917, Hart married Ruth Agnes Limond in Seattle. The two had met in Coronado, California, during Hart's campaign for Hughes. For Hart, this was his second marriage; he had earlier married Bertha Hall, with whom he had a daughter.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21753370/one_child_by_bertha_hall/ |title=Arlington Burial This Week for Charles C. Hart |date=November 26, 1956 |work=The Star Press |access-date=July 11, 2018 |page=42 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}}

With Ruth Limond, Hart had two children, a son, John; and a daughter, Priscilla.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21746916/priscilla_mendenhall_hart_chass/ |title=Society |date=August 7, 1927 |work=Star Tribune |access-date=July 11, 2018 |page=2 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}}

President Calvin Coolidge nominated Hart as the second minister to Albania in May 1925;{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/05/05/archives/to-be-minister-to-albania-cc-hart-western-newspaper-man-named-by.html |title=TO BE MINISTER TO ALBANIA.; C.C. Hart, Western Newspaper Man, Named by Coolidge. |date=May 5, 1925 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 5, 2018 |language=en-US}} he took up his post later that year.

Hart's reports during his service as minister to Albania were widely considered entertaining and funny,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21746990/more_of_the_hartthroughrussia_stuff/ |title=American Diplomat Now on Journey Through Russia to Reach Persian Post |last=Wilson |first=Lyle C. |date=January 2, 1930 |work=Great Falls Tribune |access-date=July 12, 2018 |agency=United Press International |page=1 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} including by the Secretary of State, Frank B. Kellogg, and others in the Foreign Service, as they were written in a vivid and realistic style, more suited to journalism than diplomacy.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21790014/muncie_evening_press/ |title=Ex-Muncie Man Gains Honor |date=October 14, 1929 |work=Muncie Evening Press |access-date=July 12, 2018 |page=9 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21825486/a_moment_in_washington/ |title=A Moment in Washington |date=September 8, 1932 |work=Indianapolis News |access-date=July 13, 2018 |page=12 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}

Well-liked by Albanian officials,{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/09/02/archives/zogu-is-crowned-king-of-albanians-national-assembly-amid-acclaim.html |title=ZOGU IS CROWNED KING OF ALBANIANS; National Assembly Amid Acclaim Unanimously Proclaims the President as Monarch. HE FALTERS TAKING OATH Italians Help Guard New Ruler in Tirana--Republican Exiles Threaten Revolution. Falters as He Takes Ooath. ZOGU IS CROWNED KING OF ALBANIANS New King Reviews Garrison. Republican Exiles Threaten. Asks the League to Intervene. Manifesto Has Not Reached League. Belgrade May Protest Title. |date=September 2, 1928 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 8, 2018 |language=en-US}} Hart, like Albanian president Zogu, proved to be wily and careful, especially when dealing with newspaper reporters;{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/03/20/archives/zogus-task-is-to-tame-unruly-albania-romantic-and-incalculable-is.html |title=ZOGU'S TASK IS TO TAME UNRULY ALBANIA; Romantic and Incalculable Is Ahmet Bey, President at 31, and Sorely Beset by Many Tribal Enemies ZOGU'S TASK IN ALBANIA ALBANIA'S GRIM POLITICS |last=McCormick |first=Anne O'Hare |date=March 20, 1927 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 8, 2018 |language=en-US |author-link=Anne O'Hare McCormick}} apposite, as Hart taught Zogu how to play poker.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21815412/housepassed_air_force_bill_is_in/ |title=House-Passed Air Force Bill Is In Error: King Zog Visits |last=Timmons |first=Bascom N. |date=August 29, 1951 |work=The Tennessean |access-date=July 12, 2018 |page=12 |language=en-US |author-link=Bascom N. Timmons |via=Newspapers.com}} During his time as minister, Albania became a monarchy under Zogu, now King Zog I; President Coolidge recognized the new Albanian government, as one properly created under the constitutional mechanisms of the Albanian Republic;{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/09/14/archives/coolidge-recognizes-albanian-kingdom-messages-sent-to-zogu-by.html |title=COOLIDGE RECOGNIZES ALBANIAN KINGDOM; Messages Sent to Zogu by President and Kellogg Laud HisGovernment. |date=September 14, 1928 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 8, 2018 |language=en-US}} and Zog personally dedicated the new United States Embassy in Tirana,{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/06/07/archives/king-zogu-to-dedicate-our-legation-in-tirana-albanias-ruler-will-at.html |title=KING ZOGU TO DEDICATE OUR LEGATION IN TIRANA; Albania's Ruler Will Attend His First Public Dance at the Opening Ceremonies. |date=June 7, 1929 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 8, 2018 |language=en-US}} with its large twelve rooms and lavish furnishings,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21812322/eau_claire_leader/ |title=Washington |last=Stinnnett |first=Jack |date=February 5, 1941 |work=Eau Claire Leader |access-date=July 12, 2018 |agency=Associated Press |page=12 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} which, with some modifications and renovations, remains the embassy today.{{Cite web |url=https://overseasbuildings.state.gov/sites/admin-overseasbuildings.state.gov/files/pdfs/secretary_register_1.pdf |title=The Secretary of State's Register of Culturally Significant Property |date=May 2010 |website=state.gov |publisher=United States Department of State |pages=40–41 |access-date=July 8, 2018}}

At the time, King Zog was a bachelor, and it was later reported that he reached out to Hart for the diplomat's assistance in finding a wealthy, politically courageous, and beautiful American bride, someone to help him Westernise his country,{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/01/22/archives/king-zog-would-wed-rich-american-girl-income-of-1000000-year-one-of.html |title=KING ZOG WOULD WED RICH AMERICAN GIRL; Income of $1,000,000 Year One of Conditions of Royal Match With Albanian Ruler. |date=January 22, 1935 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 8, 2018 |language=en-US}} and that Hart had sent back a list of names, including Natalie Hays Hammond, whom Zog rejected due to lack of wealth.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21752887/passing_on_natalie_hays_hammond_color/ |title=Got a Million? Zog Wants Wife |date=January 23, 1935 |work=Sandusky Register |access-date=July 11, 2018 |page=14 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}} Minister Hart denied the entire account.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/01/23/archives/denies-zog-sought-heiress.html |title=Denies Zog Sought Heiress. |date=January 23, 1935 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 8, 2018 |language=en}} In the end, Zog would get part of his wish: in 1938, he married Geraldine Apponyi, an impecunious Hungarian-American{{Cite book |title=The Albanian Operation of the CIA and MI6, 1949-1953 : conversations with participants in a venture betrayed |last=Bethell |first=Nicholas |publisher=McFarland |year=2016 |isbn=9781476663791 |editor-last=Elsie |editor-first=Robert |editor-link=Robert Elsie |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |pages=71 |oclc=929123505 |author-link=Nicholas Bethell, 4th Baron Bethell |editor-last2=Destani |editor-first2=Bejtullah}} countess.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/27/world/geraldine-of-albania-87-queen-with-us-ties-is-dead.html |title=Geraldine of Albania, 87, Queen With U.S. Ties, Is Dead |last=Martin |first=Douglas |date=October 27, 2002 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 8, 2018 |language=en-US}}

By then, however, Hart had left as minister; he was replaced by Herman Bernstein in 1930.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/01/30/archives/offers-albanian-post-to-herman-bernstein-hoover-asks-new-york.html |title=OFFERS ALBANIAN POST TO HERMAN BERNSTEIN; Hoover Asks New York Journalist to Succeed Charles C. Hartas Minister. |date=January 30, 1930 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 8, 2018 |language=en}}

After some time back in the United States, Hart was nominated by President Herbert Hoover as minister to Iran (then known as Persia) in October 1929.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/10/26/archives/cc-hart-nominated-minister-to-persia-hoover-also-names-eugene-black.html |title=C.C. HART NOMINATED MINISTER TO PERSIA; Hoover Also Names Eugene Black of Texas to Succeed Millikan on Tax Appeals Board. |date=October 26, 1929 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 5, 2018 |language=en-US}} The United States Senate confirmed his nomination in November;{{Cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SBS19291113.1.1&srpos=23&e=01-01-1910-31-12-1956--en--50--1--txt-txIN-%22Charles+C.+Hart%22-------1 |title=Persian Minister |date=November 13, 1929 |work=The San Bernardino Sun |access-date=July 8, 2018 |issue=74 |volume=65 |page=1 |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection}}{{Cite magazine |date=November 25, 1929 |title=The Senate Week |magazine=Time |volume=14 |issue=22 |page=14 |issn=0040-781X }} and during Hart's journey to Iran, he passed through the Soviet Union, which was uncommon{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1932/09/01/105869838.pdf |title=No Taboo on Our Officials. |date=September 1, 1932 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 8, 2018 |language=en-US}} and made him the first American diplomat in twelve years to have done so,{{Cite magazine |date=January 13, 1930 |title=Tirana to Teheran |magazine=Time |language=en-US |volume=15 |issue=2 |page=14 |issn=0040-781X }} presumably at the behest of the State Department.{{Cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SBS19300103.1.3&srpos=1&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Charles+Calmer+Hart%22-------1 |title=U.S. Minister is Secretly in Soviet Russia |last=Wilson |first=Lyle C. |date=January 3, 1930 |work=San Bernardino Sun |access-date=July 8, 2018 |agency=United Press International |issue=125 |volume=65 |page=3 |language=en-US |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection}}

As minister to Persia, Hart was considered "energetic and popular";{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/12/11/archives/british-shun-force-in-persian-dispute-appeal-to-world-court-on-oil.html |title=BRITISH SHUN FORCE IN PERSIAN DISPUTE; Appeal to World Court on Oil Contract Is Effort to Avoid New |last=Kuhn Jr. |first=Ferdinand |date=December 11, 1932 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 4, 2018 |language=en-US}} as one Iranian newspaper stated, he "understands the Orient and the oriental mentality".

Hart's reports continued to be humorous,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22027159/for_le_shah_un_chat/ |title=For Le Shah, Un Chat |date=January 24, 1937 |work=Missoulian |access-date=July 20, 2018 |page=17 |via=Newspapers.com}} and, to the admonishment of his colleagues and State Department officials, candid; yet when a report of such nature was received by Henry L. Stimson, Kellogg's successor, replete with calls for disciplinary actions, Stimson demurred.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21747056/ok_groans_and_horror_too/ |title=Daily Mirror of Washington |last=Brayman |first=Harold |date=March 22, 1935 |work=The Star Press |access-date=2018-07-13 |page=12 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}

Hart, during his time in Iran, was able to observe and report on the beginnings of Iranian modernism, including the actions and creations of the Society for the National Heritage of Iran,{{Cite journal |last=Grigor |first=Tallinn |date=2004 |title=Recultivating "Good Taste": The Early Pahlavi Modernists and Their Society for National Heritage |journal=Iranian Studies |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=17–45|jstor=4311590 |doi=10.1080/0021086042000232929 |s2cid=162261614 }} and municipal modernization under Reza Shah.{{Cite thesis |last=Karimi |first=Z. Pamela |title=Transitions in domestic architecture and home culture in twentieth century Iran |date=2009 |degree=PhD |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |hdl=1721.1/54552 }} Though he was successful in persuading the government to allow James Henry Breasted to conduct an archaeological restoration there,{{Cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=MT19301227.2.70&srpos=7&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22Charles+C+Hart%22-------1 |title=American Will Restore Ruins |last=Baird |first=Joseph H. |date=December 27, 1930 |work=Madera Tribune |access-date=July 4, 2018 |agency=United Press International |issue=46 |page=4}} most of his tenure involved responses to crises, including the 1930 Salmas earthquake and its aftermath,{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/05/11/archives/persian-quake-extensive-town-of-salmas-is-in-ruins-american-red.html |title=PERSIAN QUAKE EXTENSIVE.; Town of Salmas Is in Ruins-- American Red Cross Sends Aid. |date=May 11, 1930 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 4, 2018 |language=en}} as well as the kidnapping of American consular officers,{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/09/05/archives/three-of-our-envoys-kidnapped-in-persia-rescued-from-brigands-after.html |title=Three of Our Envoys Kidnapped in Persia; Rescued From Brigands After Three Days |date=September 5, 1932 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 4, 2018 |language=en}} by Lurs near Sahneh,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21753150/persian_brigands/ |title=Americans Tell Of Rescue From Persian Brigands |last=Fleming |first=Dewey L. |date=September 7, 1932 |work=The Baltimore Sun |access-date=July 10, 2018 |language=en-US |author-link=Dewey L. Fleming |via=Newspapers.com}} in 1932.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/09/07/archives/envoys-exhausted-by-ordeal-in-persia-three-americans-captured-by.html |title=ENVOYS EXHAUSTED BY ORDEAL IN PERSIA; Three Americans Captured by Brigands Reach Teheran With Feet Lacerated. WERE STRIPPED AND ROBBED Forced to Run and Walk 25 Miles Into Mountains, They Spent a Freezing Night Before Rescue. |date=September 7, 1932 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 4, 2018 |language=en}}

In 1933, he resigned as minister,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21792706/the_indianapolis_star/ |title=Great Concession for Oil is Negotiated by Hoosier |date=December 31, 1936 |work=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=July 12, 2018 |page=9 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}} and was replaced with William H. Hornibrook.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/12/13/archives/envoy-to-persia-is-named.html |title=Envoy to Persia Is Named. |date=December 13, 1933 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 5, 2018 |language=en-US}}

After leaving his second diplomatic post, Hart worked in oil and gas exploration in the Middle East.

In 1936, for instance, Hart, backed by the former Secretary of the Treasury, Ogden L. Mills,{{Cite magazine |date=February 1, 1937 |title=Oil Week |magazine=Time |language=en-US |volume=29 |issue=5 |page=64 |issn=0040-781X }} and joined by Frederick Gardner Clapp, helped negotiate oil rights in Afghanistan for an American firm, at the request of the Afghan and Persian governments.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/31/archives/afghan-oil-rights-won-by-americans-75year-concession-covering.html |title=AFGHAN OIL RIGHTS WON BY AMERICANS; 75-Year Concession, Covering 270,000-Mile Square Area, Goes to Inland Firm. |date=December 31, 1936 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 5, 2018 |language=en-US}}

During World War II, Hart sought to open another front in Albania; his mission was canceled some time before he boarded his flight, the "Yankee Clipper", which would crash on February 22, 1943, leaving fifteen survivors, including Jane Froman.

In March 1946, Hart, as the president of the American Friends of Albania group, rebuked Senator Claude Pepper on the Senator's position on Epirus in a newspaper advertisement.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21814230/albanians_flay_pepper_on_greece/ |title=Albanians Flay Pepper on Greece |date=March 3, 1946 |work=The Miami News |access-date=July 12, 2018 |agency=Associated Press |page=55 |language=en-US |via=Newspapers.com}}

Hart's health began to fail that year; in late 1946, he stayed at Bethesda Naval Hospital for several months, after a series of operations relating to complications stemming from his Alcatraz injury.

Hart also collected documents and autographs, some of which were auctioned off in February 1947.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/02/23/archives/rare-autographs-will-go-on-block.html |title=RARE AUTOGRAPHS WILL GO ON BLOCK |date=February 23, 1947 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 4, 2018 |language=en}}

The next year, Charles Calmer Hart moved to California, where he died on November 17, 1956, in Los Angeles, at the age of 78.

He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Robert Rossow, Jr.

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/hart-charles-calmer Charles Calmer Hart] at the Office of the Historian website.
• [https://archive.org/details/registerofdepart1927unit/page/138 Hart, Charles Calmer], from the 1927 Register of the Department of State, from the Internet Archive

{{s-start}}

{{s-dip}}

{{s-bef|before=Ulysses Grant-Smith}}

{{s-ttl|title=United States Minister to Albania|years=1925-1929}}

{{s-aft|after=Herman Bernstein}}

{{s-bef|before=Hoffman Philip}}

{{s-ttl|title=United States Minister to Iran|years=1930–1933}}

{{s-aft|after=William H. Hornibrook}}

{{s-end}}

{{United States Ambassadors to Iran}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hart, Charles C.}}

Category:1878 births

Category:1956 deaths

Category:American newspaper journalists

Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Albania

Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Iran

Category:20th-century American diplomats

Category:Indiana Republicans