Joseph Simonson (1904 – January 17, 1985) was a Lutheran pastor[1] and the American Ambassador to Ethiopia (1953–1957).
[1] He was the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill, St. Paul, Minnesota, from 1939 to 1952.
He received degrees from St. Olaf College in 1925, Luther Theological Seminary in 1931, and studied law at George Washington University from 1926-1928.
[4] Among his concerns while Ambassador was the “Danger of Communist Penetration”, Yugoslav-Ethiopian relations, the Muslim Minority and relationships with the West.
[5] Edward W.Clark, Consular Officer in Asmara (1953-1956), said in an interview when asked about Simonson and negotiations surrounding Eritrea said “He really didn't know what he was doing.