(1943).
Ford, John (baptized April 17, 1586, Ilsington, Devon, Eng.—d. 1639?) British dramatist. Early in his career he studied law and wrote collabo- ratively with several other playwrights, but little more is known of his life, and the dating of many of his works is uncertain. His revenge trag¬ edies are characterized by scenes of austere beauty, insight into human passions, and poetic diction of a high order. His reputation rests on the first four plays he wrote alone, only one of which can be dated with cer¬ tainty: The Broken Heart’, The Lover’s Melancholy (1628); Perkin War- beck ; and ’Tis Pity She’s a Whore, an eloquently sympathetic story of incestuous lovers that is his best-known work.
Ford, Richard (b. Feb. 16, 1944, Jackson, Miss., U.S.) U.S. novelist and short-story writer. His first novel, A Piece of My Heart (1976), showed the influence of William Faulkner. The Sportswriter (1986) and its sequel, Independence Day (1995, Pulitzer Prize), drew on his experience as a writer for a sports magazine in the 1980s. His story collection Rock Springs (1987) examines the lives of the lonely and alienated.
Ford, Tennessee Ernie orig. Ernest Jennings (b. Feb. 13, 1919, Bristol, Tenn., U.S.—d. Oct. 17, 1991, Reston, Va.) U.S. country music singer. He studied music in Cincinnati. After World War II he worked in radio in the Los Angeles area and soon signed a recording contract with Capitol. His “Mule Train” and “Shot Gun Boogie” made him famous by 1951. He became a staple on the Grand Ole Opry and had many cross¬ over hits, including “Sixteen Tons” and “Ballad of Davy Crockett.” He later switched his emphasis to gospel music; his 1957 album Hymns enjoyed great success. He continued recording into the 1970s.
Ford Foundation U.S. philanthropic foundation. It was established in 1936 with gifts and bequests from Henry Ford and his son, Edsel (1893— 1943). By the early 21st century its assets exceeded $10 billion. Its chief concerns have been international affairs (particularly population control and alleviation of food shortages), humanities and the arts, communica¬ tions (especially public television), and, in later years, resources and the environment.
Ford Motor Co. U.S. automotive corporation. Founded in Detroit, Mich., in 1903 by Henry Ford and a group of investors, the company introduced the hugely successful Model T in 1908 and by 1923 was pro¬ ducing more than half of all U.S. automotive vehicles. Through the Lin¬ coln Motor Co. (acquired in 1922), Ford produced luxury Lincolns and Continentals. After years of declining sales, the Model T was succeeded by the Model A in 1927; other companies such as General Motors took the opportunity to make serious inroads into Ford’s dominance. The com¬ pany was reincorporated in 1919, with Ford and his family acquiring full ownership. Henry’s son Edsel served as president 1919—43, and Henry’s grandson Henry Ford II led the company 1945-79, reviving its fortunes considerably. Its stock was first publicly traded in 1956. Ford acquired the British automaker Jaguar in 1989-90, bought the rental car company Hertz Corp. in 1994, and purchased the automobile division of Volvo in 1999. Later acquisitions included Aston Martin and the Land Rover brand of sport utility vehicles. Ford also owns a significant share of the Mazda Motor Corp. The company manufactures passenger cars, trucks, and trac¬ tors as well as parts and accessories.
foreclosure Legal proceeding by which a borrower’s rights to a mort¬ gaged property may be extinguished if the borrower fails to live up to the obligations agreed to in the loan contract. The lender may then declare the entire debt due and owing and may seek to satisfy it by foreclosing. Foreclosure is commonly by a court-decreed sale of the property to the highest bidder, who is often the lender. See also mortgage.
foreign aid Transfer of capital, goods, or services from one country to another. Foreign aid may be given in the form of capital transfers or tech¬ nical assistance and training for either civilian or military purposes. Its use in the modern era began in the 18th century, when Prussia subsidized some of its allies. After World War II, foreign aid developed into a more sophisticated instrument of foreign policy. International organizations, such as the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, were created to provide aid to war-ravaged countries and newly freed colonies. Foreign aid is often given with conditions attached, such as the require¬ ment that all or part of it be used to buy goods from the donor country. See also International Monetary Fund; Marshall Plan; World Bank.
foreign exchange Purchase or sale of one national currency in exchange for another nation’s currency, usually conducted in a market setting. Foreign exchange makes possible international transactions such as imports and exports and the movement of capital between countries. The value of one foreign currency in relation to another is defined by the EXCHANGE RATE.
Foreign Legion French Legion Etrangere. French military corps consisting originally of foreigners but now including many Frenchmen. It was founded in 1831 as a highly disciplined professional army to help control French colonies in Africa. Since its founding, it has been in almost continuous combat; its forces have fought or been stationed in such places as Europe, the Crimea, Mexico, Syria, and Indochina. The new volunteer swears to serve not France but the legion; after serving one enlistment (five years) with good conduct, foreign-born soldiers are eligible for French citizenship. Since it keeps a volunteer’s past secret, it has been romanticized as a haven for those seeking new identities, including crimi¬ nals, but most legionnaires are professional soldiers who enjoy combat. Originally headquartered in Algeria, the legion moved its headquarters to France after Algerian independence.
Foreign Ministers, Council of Organization of the foreign ministers of the U.S., Britain, France, and the Soviet Union—the World War II Allied Powers. In meetings between 1945 and 1972, they attempted to reach postwar political agreements. They produced treaties of peace with Italy, Hungary, Romania, Finland, and Bulgaria and resolved the Trieste prob¬ lem in 1946. They convened the Geneva Conference on the Korean War in 1954, and in 1955 agreed on an Austrian treaty. They recessed after failing to agree on German unification in 1959; in 1972 they paved the way for both East and West Germany to enter the UN.
foreign policy General objectives that guide the activities and rela¬ tionships of one state in its interactions with other states. The develop¬ ment of foreign policy is influenced by domestic considerations, the policies or behaviour of other states, or plans to advance specific geopo¬ litical designs. Leopold von Ranke emphasized the primacy of geography and external threats in shaping foreign policy, but later writers empha¬ sized domestic factors. Diplomacy is the tool of foreign policy, and war, alliances, and international trade may all be manifestations of it.
foreign service or diplomatic service Staff of a state’s international-affairs department that represents the state’s interests in for¬ eign countries. It fulfills two functions, diplomatic and consular. The stan¬ dards for foreign-service jobs are similar in most countries. Before the 20th century, wealth, aristocratic standing, and political connections were the chief requirements for high-ranking diplomatic positions. Political appointees still hold the top positions in many foreign missions, but their subordinates generally must demonstrate their education and intellectual ability through a competitive examination. Foreign-service personnel have special legal rights (e.g., they do not have to pay taxes to their host country). See also ambassador.
foreign workers Those who work in a foreign country without ini¬ tially intending to settle there and without the benefits of citizenship in the host country. Some are recruited to supplement the workforce of a host country for a limited term or to provide skills on a contractual basis that the host country seeks. Others are recruited directly by a private employer, which may need to certify that it cannot find workers among the coun-