Deputy Secretaries of State, 1972-2005Name: John N. Irwin, II
State of Residency: New York
Non-career appointee
Appointment: [see note below]
Entry on Duty: Jul 13, 1972
Termination of Appointment: Feb 1, 1973
Note: Not commissioned as Deputy Secretary; had been serving as Under Secretary of State and was redesignated Deputy Secretary of State under terms of the Foreign Affairs Authorization Act of 1972. Prior to Jul 13, 1972, the Under Secretary of State had been the second ranking officer of the Department.
Name: Kenneth Rush
State of Residency: New York
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Feb 2, 1973
Entry on Duty: Feb 2, 1973
Termination of Appointment: May 29, 1974
Name: Robert Stephen Ingersoll
State of Residency: Illinois
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Jun 30, 1974
Entry on Duty: Jul 10, 1974
Termination of Appointment: Mar 31, 1976
Name: Charles W. Robinson
State of Residency: California
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 7, 1976
Entry on Duty: Apr 9, 1976
Termination of Appointment: Jan 20, 1977
Name: Warren Christopher
State of Residency: California
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Feb 25, 1977
Entry on Duty: Feb 26, 1977
Termination of Appointment: Jan 16, 1981
Name: William P. Clark
State of Residency: California
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Mar 25, 1981
Entry on Duty: Mar 25, 1981
Termination of Appointment: Feb 9, 1982
Name: Walter J. Stoessel, Jr.
State of Residency: California
Foreign Service officer
Appointment: Feb 10, 1982
Entry on Duty: Feb 11, 1982
Termination of Appointment: Sep 22, 1982
Name: Kenneth W. Dam
State of Residency: Illinois
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Sep 23, 1982
Entry on Duty: Sep 23, 1982
Termination of Appointment: Jun 15, 1985
Name: John C. Whitehead
State of Residency: New Jersey
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Jul 8, 1985
Entry on Duty: Jul 9, 1985
Termination of Appointment: Jan 20, 1989
Name: Lawrence S. Eagleburger
State of Residency: Florida
Foreign Service officer
Appointment: Mar 17, 1989
Entry on Duty: Mar 20, 1989
Termination of Appointment: Aug 23, 1992
Title: Deputy Secretary of State
Name: Clifton R. Wharton, Jr.
State of Residency: New York
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Jan 27, 1993
Entry on Duty: Jan 27, 1993
Termination of Appointment: Nov 8, 1993
Name: Strobe Talbott
State of Residency: Ohio
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Feb 22, 1994
Entry on Duty: Feb. 23, 1994
Termination of Duty: Jan 19, 2001
Name: Richard Lee Armitage
State of Residency: Virginia
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Mar 23, 2001
Entry on Duty: Mar 26, 2001
Termination of Appointment: Feb 23, 2005
Name: Robert B. Zoellick
State of Residency: Virginia
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Feb 22, 2005
Entry on Duty: Feb 23, 2005
Termination of Appointment: June 19, 2006
Name:John D Negroponte
State of Residency: New York
Appointment: Feb 13, 2007
Entry on Duty: Feb 27, 2007
Termination of Appointment:
Creation of Position: Congress created the position of Deputy Secretary of State in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 1972, approved Jul 13, 1972 (Public Law 92-352; 86 Stat 490), to replace the Under Secretary of State as the second ranking officer in the Department. The Deputy Secretary serves as the principal deputy, adviser, and alter ego to the Secretary of State; serves as Acting Secretary of State in the Secretary's absence; and assists the Secretary in the formulation and conduct of U.S. foreign policy and in giving general supervision and direction to all elements of the Department. Specific duties and supervisory responsibilities have varied over time.
| 
