Elihu Root

Elihu Root was an American lawyer and statesman who served as the Secretary of War under two presidents, including President Theodore Roosevelt. He moved frequently between highlevel appointed government positions in Washington, D.C. and privatesector legal practice in New York City. For that reason, he is sometimes considered to be the prototype of the 20th century political wise man, advising presidents on a range of foreign and domestic issues. He was elected by the state legislature as a U.S. Senator from New York and served one term, 19091915. Root was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1912.

Root was born in Clinton, New York, to Oren Root and Nancy Whitney Buttrick, both of English descent. His father was professor of mathematics at Hamilton College. After studying at local schools, including Williston Seminary, where he was a classmate of G. Stanley Hall, Elihu enrolled in college at Hamilton. He joined the Sigma Phi Society and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society After graduation, Root was an instructor of physical education for two years at Williston Seminary, and taught for one year at the Rome Free Academy.

Source: Wikipedia