William Short (American ambassador)

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William Short (1759–1849) had been Thomas Jefferson's Private Secretary when he was ambassador in Paris, 1786–1789. Jefferson, later the third President of the United States, referred to Short as his "adoptive son". Short was also a co-founder of Phi Beta Kappa, at the College of William & Mary, along with Jefferson.

During his time in Paris with Thomas Jefferson he was often left as charge d' affair es in Jefferson's absence. In one instance, he attended on behalf of Jefferson, the dedication of a bust of Lafayette arranged by Jefferson. It was a gift from the people of Virginia to the city of Paris. Jefferson was unable to attend due to one of his migraine attacks.

Later in 1790 he succeeded Thomas Jefferson as Minister to France and provided Jefferson with most of his information on the French revolution. Subsequently he was Minister to the Netherlands and Spain.

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• Thomas Jefferson and William Short

Preceded by Thomas Jefferson	U.S. Minister to France 1790–1792	Succeeded by Gouverneur Morris
Preceded by Charles W.F. Dumas	U.S. Minister to the Netherlands 1792–1792	Succeeded by John Quincy Adams
Preceded by William Carmichael	U.S. Minister to Spain 1794–1795	Succeeded by David Humphreys