By Robert Neff The first American representative to Korea was Minister Lucius Foote in 1883. We know a good deal about his official life ― and even some of his private life ― from his reports to the State Department and gossip from his subordinates and peers. I don't find him very interesting and feel he had a very minor role in early American-Korean relations. His wife, however, does interest me. A ROSE BY ANY NAME A beautiful image of Rose Foote. Date unknown - from Mary V. Tingley Lawrence's biography. Robert Neff Collection The dashing image of Lucius Foote, the first American representative to Korea. Date unknown - from Mary V. Tingley Lawrence's biography. Robert Neff CollectionRose was a graceful woman who dressed elegantly and was described as being "accomplished and beautiful with a majestic bearing." She was in her mid-50s when she arrived in Korea, and generated a great deal of interest with Koreans of all social classes, not only because she was the first occidental woman to enter ancient Seoul but also because of her "exceptional beauty and queenly bearing [that] aroused admiration wherever she was seen."