William Walter Phelps

William Walter Phelps
United States Ambassador to Germany
In office September 26, 1889 – June 4, 1893
President	Benjamin Harrison Grover Cleveland
Preceded by	George H. Pendleton
Succeeded by	Theodore Runyon
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 5th district
In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1889
Preceded by	John Hill
Succeeded by	Charles D. Beckwith
In office March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875
Preceded by	George A. Halsey
Succeeded by	Augustus W. Cutler
United States Ambassador to Austria-Hungary
In office May 5, 1881 – June 30, 1882
President	James Garfield Chester A. Arthur
Preceded by	John A. Kasson
Succeeded by	Alphonso Taft
Personal details
Born	(1839-08-24)August 24, 1839 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	June 17, 1894(1894-06-17) (aged 55) Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.
Resting place	Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Ellen Maria Sheffield Phelps ​ ​ (m. 1860)​
Children	8
Education	Yale College Columbia Law School
Profession	Attorney Banker
Signature

William Walter Phelps (August 24, 1839 – June 17, 1894) was a United States Congressman and diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to Germany and Austria-Hungary.

He was the son of John Jay Phelps, a successful New York City merchant and financier. Prior to being elected to the United States House of Representatives he had a successful banking career in Manhattan, settling in Teaneck, New Jersey, across the Hudson River.