Diplomat and Politician. A career American diplomat, he represented the United States as ambassador to Chile, Mexico, Belgium and Italy and served as Under Secretary of State. After leaving the diplomatic service, he became chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1934 to 1936.

Born in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, he studied law in his uncle's office and was admitted to the bar. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898, he enlisted as a private in Theodore Roosevelt's 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, known as the Rough Riders, and served in Cuba. He later joined the 40th United States Volunteer Infantry and served in the Philippines.

He entered the diplomatic service in 1902 and held early assignments in Cuba, China and Portugal. President William Howard Taft appointed him United States minister to Chile in 1909. When the post was elevated to ambassadorial rank in 1914, Fletcher became the first United States ambassador to Chile.

President Woodrow Wilson appointed him ambassador to Mexico in 1916. He presented his credentials the following year and served during the Mexican Revolution and a period of strained relations with President Venustiano Carranza's government. Fletcher left the post in 1919 after disagreeing with the Wilson administration's Mexican policy.

In 1921, President Warren G. Harding appointed him Under Secretary of State, the department's second-ranking position under Secretary Charles Evans Hughes. He served until 1922, when he was appointed ambassador to Belgium. He was also accredited as minister to Luxembourg.

From 1924 to 1929, he served as ambassador to Italy. His tenure coincided with Benito Mussolini's consolidation of Fascist rule, requiring him to represent American diplomatic and commercial interests during a major transformation of the Italian government.

After retiring from diplomacy, he remained active in Republican politics. As chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1934 to 1936, he directed the national party organization during the early years of Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration and the preparations for the 1936 presidential campaign.

He later served on the boards of several foreign-policy and cultural organizations. He died in Newport, Rhode Island, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.