Ambassador
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Ambassador. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a diplomatic officer of the highest rank, sent by a sovereign or nation to another power to treat on affairs of state, representing not only the affairs, but also the person, of his sovereign or executive and entitled to almost equal respect. Anciently ambassadors were sent only on special missions, after the performance of which they returned, their functions corresponding to those of the modern ambassador extraordinary; only in modern times did there originate the employment of an ambassador residing permanently at the seat of a foreign government, who is expected to familiarize himself with its politics and to exert his influence for the advantage of his own nation. At the outbreak of war between his own government and that to which he has been sent, the ambassador is dismissed or summoned to return. If the mon ambassador appointed ed by one government be considered by the state to which he is assigned personally disagreeable or not calculated to produce friendly relations between the two countries, he may be objected to as a persona non grata, and his reception refused; but if he is actually received he is entitled to each and every privilege of his office. These privileges have never been closely defined, but include the inviolability of the person of the ambassador from public onc and private violence; im immunity from all jurisdiction, both civil and criminal, of the country in which he is a resident; and similar exemption from local jurisdiction for his family, household, and retinue. His house is sacred, but he cannot harbor malefactors. He must regard the laws and customs of the country in which he is a resident, or complaint may be made to the government he represents, and his recall demanded, or if his offense be serious, he may be sent beyond its borders by the offended power and a trial in his own country exacted. In the United States, jurisdiction in all diplomatic cases is by the Constitution delegated to the Supreme Court. The term ambassador was not formerly applied to American diplomatic age gents, the highest rank being envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, until 1893.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a diplomatic officer of highest rank. Of various agents that may be sent abroad by a government to look after its interests, consuls, envoys, and ministers, the ambassador is the highest, and is supposed to be sent by a nation of high standing to another of equal rank. An ambassador is ranked as a personal representative of his sovereign. He is entitled to admission for a personal talk with the monarch of the court to which he is sent. Not to grant such an audience would be an affront to the sovereign of the ambassador. A mere minister is entitled to an audience from the secretary of state or prime minister. It is considered wise to clothe an ambassador with more authority than a minister or envoy. Like other diplomatic agents, the ambassador, his family, and entire retinue are granted special privileges in the capital of the country in which they reside. They are exempt from arrest. It is a question in international law whether a member of the ambassador's official family may be arrested, even for murder. An offense is reported to the home government for proper correction. By an act of 1893 Congress authorized the president to appoint an ambassador to Great Britain , Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Russia. Japan, Turkey, and Brazil have been added to the list. The governments that receive ambassadors from the United States also send ambassadors to Washington. Our ambassadors receive salaries of $17,500, but house rent and other expenses necessary to keep up appearances at a wealthy capital far outrun the salary. The German Empire maintains ambassadors at Rome, Madrid, Washington, London, Paris, St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Constantinople, with salaries ranging from $25,000 to $37,000 each. 2026 Editor's Note: The fine ranks this entry draws — ambassador above mere minister — have collapsed: nearly every country now exchanges full ambassadors. Their status was codified in the 1961 Vienna Convention , which grants the diplomatic immunity that lets an embassy defy local law, occasionally to scandal. (Ed: BR 2026-06-07)