10 Most Skilled Diplomats in History Ranked by Achievement

TheCollector has identified ten of history's most accomplished diplomats based on the significance and longevity of their contributions. Taking the top spot is Klemens von Metternich, known for creating the Concert of Europe and advancing realpolitik. Following him, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand achieved favorable peace terms for France during the Congress of Vienna and facilitated Belgian independence. Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in garnering French support for the American Revolution and securing recognition of independence with extensive territorial claims. Cardinal de Richelieu shifted the Thirty Years' War into a campaign against Habsburg power, establishing French dominance. Dag Hammarskjöld was a pioneer of UN peacekeeping and played a key role in resolving the Suez Crisis. Henry Kissinger fostered Détente with the USSR, normalized relations with China, and negotiated a ceasefire post-Yom Kippur War. Zhou Enlai ended the French Indochina War and improved U.S.-China relations, while Alexandra Kollontai, the first female ambassador, gained recognition for the USSR and concluded the Finnish Winter War. Richard Holbrooke facilitated the Dayton Accords to end the Bosnian War and acted as a mediator for Kosovo. Lastly, Lester Pearson was a strong advocate for UNEF during the Suez Crisis and significantly contributed to the NATO charter.