Elihu Root
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| In office August 1, 1899 – January 31, 1904 |
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| President | William McKinley (1899-1901) Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1904) |
| Preceded by | Russell A. Alger |
| Succeeded by | William Howard Taft |
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| In office July 19, 1905 – January 27, 1909 |
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| President | Theodore Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | John Hay |
| Succeeded by | Robert Bacon |
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| Born | February 15, 1845 Clinton, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 7, 1937 (aged 91) Clinton, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Clara Frances Wales |
| Profession | Lawyer, Politician |
Elihu Root (February 15, 1845 – February 7, 1937) was an American lawyer and statesman and the 1912 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize ( Swedish, Danish and Nobels fredspris is one of five Nobel Prizes Bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington 's administration Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 1899 ( MDCCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 1504 - France cedes Naples to Aragon. 1606 - Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes Year 1904 ( MCMIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting on William McKinley Jr ( January 29, 1843 September 14, 1901) was the twenty-fifth President of the United States, and the last Theodore Roosevelt (ˈroʊzəvɛlt October 27 1858 January 6 1919 also known as T Russell Alexander Alger ( February 27, 1836 January 24, 1907) was a Governor and U William Howard Taft (September 15 1857 – March 8 1930 was an American politician, the twenty-seventh President of the United States, the tenth Chief Justice The United States Secretary of State (commonly abbreviated as SecState) is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with Foreign affairs Events 711 - Muslim forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeat the Visigoths led by their king Roderic. Year 1905 ( MCMV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Theodore Roosevelt (ˈroʊzəvɛlt October 27 1858 January 6 1919 also known as T John Milton Hay ( October 8, 1838 – July 1, 1905) was an American statesman diplomat author journalist and private secretary Robert Bacon ( July 5, 1860 &ndash May 29, 1919) was an American statesman and diplomat Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor Year 1845 ( MDCCCXLV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Clinton is the name of several places in New York State Clinton Clinton County New York Clinton Dutchess County New York The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 457 - Leo I becomes emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1074 - Battle of Montesarchio in which the Prince Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Clinton is the name of several places in New York State Clinton Clinton County New York Clinton Dutchess County New York The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law as an attorney, Counsel or Solicitor; a person A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor Year 1845 ( MDCCCXLV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 457 - Leo I becomes emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1074 - Battle of Montesarchio in which the Prince Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Nobel Peace Prize ( Swedish, Danish and Nobels fredspris is one of five Nobel Prizes Bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor He was the prototype of the 20th century "wise man", who shuttled between high-level government positions in Washington, D. Dean Acheson Charles E Bohlen W Averell Harriman George F Kennan Robert A C. and private-sector legal practice in New York City.
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Early life and career
Root was born in Clinton, New York, as the son of Oren Root and Nancy Whitney Buttrick. Clinton is the name of several places in New York State Clinton Clinton County New York Clinton Dutchess County New York His father was professor of mathematics at Hamilton College, where Elihu attended college; there he joined the Sigma Phi Society, later becoming its national mentor and spiritual leader. Hamilton College is a private independent liberal arts college located in Clinton, New York. The Sigma Phi Society, founded on 4 March, 1827 on the campus of Union College as a part of the Union Triad in Schenectady New York After graduation, Root taught for one year at the Rome Academy. In 1867, Root graduated from the Law School of New York University. Year 1867 ( MDCCCLXVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting New York University ( NYU) is a private, Nonsectarian, Coeducational Research University in New York City. He went into private practice as a lawyer. While mainly practicing corporate law, Root was a junior defense counsel during the corruption trial of William "Boss" Tweed. William M Tweed ( April 3, 1823 &ndash April 12, 1878) sometimes informally called Boss Tweed, was an American Politician Root also had private clients including Jay Gould, Chester A. Arthur, Charles Anderson Dana, William C. Whitney, Thomas Fortune Ryan, and E. H. Harriman. Jason "Jay" Gould ( May 27, 1836 &ndash December 2, 1892) was an American Financier who became a leading American railroad Chester Alan Arthur (October 5 1829 &ndash November 18 1886 was an American politician who served as the twenty-first President of the United States. Charles Anderson Dana ( August 8, 1819 &ndash October 17, 1897) was an American Journalist, author and government official William Collins Whitney ( July 5, 1841 - February 2, 1904) was an American political leader and Financier and founder of Thomas Fortune Ryan (1851 - 1928 was a US tobacco and transport magnate Edward Henry Harriman ( February 20 1848 &ndash September 9 1909) better known as E
Root was appointed United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York by President Chester A. Arthur. United States Attorneys (also known as federal prosecutors) represent the United States federal government in United States district court and The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (S Chester Alan Arthur (October 5 1829 &ndash November 18 1886 was an American politician who served as the twenty-first President of the United States.
Root married Clara Frances Wales (died in 1928), who was the daughter of Salem Wales, the managing editor of Scientific American, in 1878. Scientific American is a Popular science magazine, published (first weekly and later monthly since August 28, 1845, making it They had three children: Edith (married Ulysses S. Grant III), Elihu, Jr. Ulysses Simpson Grant III ( July 4, 1881 – August 29, 1968) was the son of Frederick Dent Grant, and the grandson of General (who became a lawyer), and Edward Wales (who became Professor of Art at Hamilton College).
Root was a member of the Union League Club of New York and twice served as its president, 1898-99, and again from 1915-16. The Union League Club of New York is a prominent social club in New York
Political career
He served as the United States Secretary of War 1899–1904 under William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington 's administration Year 1899 ( MDCCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1904 ( MCMIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting on William McKinley Jr ( January 29, 1843 September 14, 1901) was the twenty-fifth President of the United States, and the last Theodore Roosevelt (ˈroʊzəvɛlt October 27 1858 January 6 1919 also known as T He reformed the organization of the United States Army. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. He was responsible for enlarging West Point and establishing the U.S. Army War College as well as the General Staff. "USMA" redirects here For other uses see USMA (disambiguation The United States Military Academy (also known as USMA, The United States Army War College is a United States Army school located in Carlisle Pennsylvania, on the 500 acre (2 km² campus of the historic Carlisle A military staff is a group of officers and enlisted personnel that provides a bi-directional flow of information between a commander and subordinate units He changed the procedures for promotions and organized schools for the special branches of the service. He also devised the principle of rotating officers from staff to line. Root was concerned about the new territories acquired after the Spanish-American War and worked out the methods of how Cuba would be turned over to the Cubans, wrote the charter of government for the Philippines, and eliminated tariffs on goods imported to the United States from Puerto Rico. Root left the cabinet in 1904 and returned to private practice as a lawyer.
In 1905, President Roosevelt named Root to be the United States Secretary of State after the death of John Hay. The United States Secretary of State (commonly abbreviated as SecState) is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with Foreign affairs John Milton Hay ( October 8, 1838 – July 1, 1905) was an American statesman diplomat author journalist and private secretary As secretary, Root placed the consular service under the Civil Service. See also Bureaucrat The term civil service has two distinct meanings Branch of governmental service in which individuals are hired on the basis He maintained the Open Door Policy in the Far East. The Open Door Policy is a concept in foreign affairs As a theory the Open Door Policy originates with British commercial practice as was reflected in treaties concluded with On a tour to Latin America in 1906, Root persuaded those governments to participate in the Hague Peace Conference. He worked with Japan in emigration to the United States and in dealings with China and established the Root-Takahira Agreement, which limited Japanese and American naval fortifications in the Pacific. He worked with Great Britain in resolving border disputes between the United States (Alaska) and Canada and also in the North Atlantic fisheries. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands He supported arbitration in resolving international disputes.
Root served a term in the United States Senate as a Republican from New York from 1909 to 1915. The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous He was an active member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. The United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary (informally Senate Judiciary Committee) is a Standing committee of the United States Senate, the He chose not to seek reelection in 1914. During and after his Senate service, Root served as President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 1910 to 1925. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a formally private nonprofit organization in practice closely associated with the United States Department of State, In that capacity, he helped create the Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands. The Hague Academy of International Law is a center for high-level Education in both public and private International law housed in the Peace Palace in The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands
In a 1910 letter published by the New York Times, Root supported the proposed income tax amendment, which became the Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution:
It is said that a very large part of any income tax under the amendment would be paid by citizens of New York. The . . .
The reason why the citizens of New York will pay so large a part of the tax is New York City is the chief financial and commercial centre of a great country with vast resources and industrial activity. For many years Americans engaged in developing the wealth of all parts of the country have been going to New York to secure capital and market their securities and to buy their supplies. Thousands of men who have amassed fortunes in all sorts of enterprises in other states have gone to New York to live because they like the life of the city or because their distant enterprises require representation at the financial centre. The incomes of New York are in a great measure derived from the country at large. A continual stream of wealth sets toward the great city from the mines and manufactories and railroads outside of New York. [1]
In 1912, as a result of his work to bring nations together through arbitration and cooperation, Root received the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize ( Swedish, Danish and Nobels fredspris is one of five Nobel Prizes Bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor
At the outbreak of World War I, Root opposed President Woodrow Wilson's policy of neutrality. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28 1856—February 3 1924 was the twenty-eighth President of the United States. He did support Wilson once the United States entered the war.
In June 1916, Root sought the Republican presidential nomination. However, at the Republican National Convention, Root reached his peak strength of 103 votes on the first ballot. The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. The Republican presidential nomination went to Charles Evans Hughes, who lost the election to Democrat Woodrow Wilson. Charles Evans Hughes Sr ( April 11, 1862 – August 27, 1948) was a Lawyer and Republican politician from the State
In June 1917, at age 72, he was sent to Russia by President Wilson to arrange American co-operation with the new revolutionary government. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending A large party of well-known people accompanied the Senator, and they traveled from Vladivostok across Siberia in the Czar's former train. Vladivostok ( is Russia 's largest port city on the Pacific Ocean and the administrative center of Primorsky Krai. Siberia (Сиби́рь Sibir) is the name given to the vast region constituting almost all of Northern Asia and for the most part currently serving Root remained in Petrograd for close to a month, and was not much impressed by what he saw. Saint Petersburg ( tr: Sankt-Peterburg,) is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River The Russians, he said, "are sincerely, kindly, good people but confused and dazed. " He summed up his attitude to the Provisional Government very trenchantly: "No fight, no loans," which referred to the current conflict with Germany in World War I. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All
After World War I, Root supported the League of Nations and served on the commission of jurists, which created the Permanent Court of International Justice. The League of Nations was an International organization founded as a result of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919–1920 JURIST is an online legal news service hosted by the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, written by founder Professor Bernard Hibbitts and a staff of more than The Permanent Court of International Justice, sometimes called the World Court, was the international court of the League of Nations, established in 1922 In 1922, President Warren G. Harding appointed him as a delegate to the International Conference on the Limitation of Armaments. Warren Gamaliel Harding (November 2 1865 August 2 1923 was the twenty-ninth President of the United States, serving from 1921 until his death from a heart attack aged He was the founding chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations, established in 1921 in New York. The Council on Foreign Relations ( CFR) is an American Nonpartisan foreign policy membership organization founded in 1921 and based at 58 East 68th Street (at
Root worked with Andrew Carnegie in programs for international peace and the advancement of science. Andrew Carnegie (properly kɑrˈneɪgi but commonly /ˈkɑrnɨgi/ or /kɑrˈnɛgi/ (25 November 1835 – 11 August 1919 was a Scottish -born American Industrialist He was the first president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a formally private nonprofit organization in practice closely associated with the United States Department of State, He helped found the American Society of International Law in 1906. Year 1906 ( MCMVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting He was among the founders of the American Law Institute in 1923. The American Law Institute ( ALI) was established in 1923 to promote the clarification and simplification of American Common law and its adaptation to changing social Root also served as vice president of the American Peace Society, which publishes World Affairs (journal), the oldest U. The American Peace Society was a Pacifist group founded upon the initiative of William Ladd, in New York City, May 8, 1828. World Affairs is a quarterly international affairs journal published by Heldref Publications S. journal on international relations.
In addition to the Nobel Prize, Root was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Crown (Belgium) and the Grand Commander of the Order of George I (Greece). The Order of the Crown is an Order of Belgium which was first created in the year 1897 The Order of George I was formerly an order of Greece named after King George I of Greece. He was the second cousin twice removed of Henry Luce, through Elihu Root (1772-1843). Henry Robinson Luce ( April 3, 1898 &ndash February 28, 1967) was an influential American publisher Prior to his death, Root had been the last surviving member of the McKinley Cabinet.
Root died in 1937 in New York City, with his family by his side. The City of New York He is buried at the Hamilton College Cemetery [2]. His home that he purchased in 1893, the Elihu Root House, was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1972. Elihu Root House was the home of American statesman Elihu Root. A National Historic Landmark (NHL is a Building, site, Structure, Object, or District, that is officially recognized by the
Works by Elihu Root
- Citizen's Part in Government. Yale University Press, 1911.
- Experiments in Government and the Essentials of the Constitution. Princeton University Press, 1913.
- Addresses on International Subjects. Harvard University Press, 1916.
- Military and Colonial Policy of the United States. Harvard University Press, 1916.
- Miscellaneous Addresses. Harvard University Press, 1917.
- Men and Policies: Addresses by Elihu Root. Harvard University Press, 1925.
References
The National Cyclopædia of American Biography. (1939) Vol. XXVI. New York: James T. White & Co. pp. 1-5. Mellander, Gustavo A. (1971) The United States in Panamanian Politics: The Intriguing Formative Years. Daville,Ill. :Interstate Publishers. OCLC 138568. Mellander, Gustavo A. ; Nelly Maldonado Mellander (1999). Charles Edward Magoon: The Panama Years. Río Piedras, Puerto Rico: Editorial Plaza Mayor. ISBN 1563281554. OCLC 42970390.
External links
- Elihu Root at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Nobel Biography
- Elihu Root
- About Elihu Root
- State Department Biography
- Works by Elihu Root at Project Gutenberg
- Cathedral Building: An Index of National Character, by Elihu Root 1922
- CFR Website - Continuing the Inquiry: The Council on Foreign Relations from 1921 to 1996 History of the Council by Peter Grose, a Council member. The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress is a Biographical dictionary of all present and former members of the United States Congress as Project Gutenberg, abbreviated as PG, is a volunteer effort to Digitize, archive and distribute Cultural works
Footnotes
| Preceded by Russell A. Alger |
United States Secretary of War Served Under: William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt August 1, 1899-January 31, 1904 |
Succeeded by William Howard Taft |
| Preceded by John Hay |
United States Secretary of State Served Under: Theodore Roosevelt July 19, 1905-January 27, 1909 |
Succeeded by Robert Bacon |
| Preceded by Thomas C. Platt |
United States Senator (Class 3) from New York March 4, 1909-March 3, 1915 Served alongside: Chauncey Depew, James O'Gorman |
Succeeded by James Wolcott Wadsworth Jr. |
| Preceded by Adelbert Ames |
Oldest living U.S. Senator April 12, 1933 - February 7, 1937 |
Succeeded by Newell Sanders |
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