Elihu Root
American politician (1845-1937) · United States · On the map · Politicians · Died at 91
Elihu Root was an American lawyer, Republican politician, and statesman who served as the 41st United States Secretary of War under presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt and the 38th United States Secretary of State, also under Roosevelt.
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Though Root avoided politics to the extent possible, his relationship with President Chester A. Arthur culminated in appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Portrait published in Harper's Weekly, October 2, 1886
Portrait published in Harper's Weekly, 1899
A Bob Satterfield cartoon depicts the forced retirement of Commanding General Nelson A. Miles.
Root and his successor, William Howard Taft, c. 1904
Root gives the opening speech at the 1904 Republican National Convention
Portrait by Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta, 1907Awards
About this person
In both positions as well as a long legal career, he pioneered the American practice of international law. Root is sometimes considered the prototype of the 20th-century political "wise man", advising presidents on a range of foreign and domestic issues. He also served as a United States Senator from New York and received the 1912 Nobel Peace Prize.
