Elihu Root

Date of Birth: February 15, 1845

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: February 7, 1937

Biography

Elihu Root was an influential American lawyer and statesman who played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. domestic and foreign policy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Clinton, New York, Root graduated from Hamilton College in 1864 and attended New York University School of Law, where he was admitted to the bar in 1867. He gained prominence as a corporate lawyer in New York City, representing powerful clients such as Jay Gould and E.H. Harriman. Root’s political career began when President William McKinley appointed him as Secretary of War in 1899, a position he held until 1904. During his tenure, he modernized the U.S. military and established the General Staff and the Army War College. He also served as Secretary of State under President Theodore Roosevelt from 1905 to 1909, where he focused on strengthening American diplomacy and promoting international arbitration. In 1912, Elihu Root was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in international arbitration and cooperation. He was a key figure in the establishment of the Hague Tribunal and advocated for the League of Nations. Root also served as a U.S. Senator from New York from 1909 to 1915, where he continued to influence American foreign policy.

5 Interesting Facts about Elihu Root

1. Elihu Root was a founding member of the American Society of International Law.

2. He played a crucial role in the restructuring of the U.S. Army and the creation of the National Guard.

3. Root was instrumental in negotiating the Root-Takahira Agreement with Japan in 1908, which helped to ease tensions between the two nations.

4. He served as the president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 1910 to 1925.

5. Root was an advocate for educational reform and helped to establish the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Elihu Root

1. “Men do not fail; they give up trying.”

2. “The mere absence of war is not peace.”

3. “Politics is the science of who gets what, when, and why.”

4. “To deal with the complex problems of today, we need more than just simple solutions.”

5. “International law is the language of international relations.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Elihu Root’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but as a prominent lawyer and statesman, he was considered to be quite wealthy for his time, with substantial earnings from his legal practice and public service.

Children

Elihu Root had three children with his wife, Clara Frances Wales Root: 1. Elihu Root Jr. (1870-1967) – Followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a successful lawyer. 2. Edith Root (1871-1936) – Married U.S. diplomat Ulysses Grant-Smith. 3. Edward Wales Root (1881-1956) – Became a notable art collector and philanthropist.