Elihu Root - Definition and Overview

Elihu Root (February 15, 1845 – February 7, 1937) was an American lawyer and statesman.

Root was born in Clinton, New York where he attended Hamilton College. He served as the United States Secretary of War 1899–1903 and the United States Secretary of State from 1905–1909. He was responsible for enlarging West Point and establishing the U.S. Army War College. He was among the founders of the American Law Institute in 1923.

He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1912. He served in the United States Senate (Republican – New York) from 1909 to 1915.

Elihu Root is the second cousin twice removed of Henry Luce through Elihu Root (1772 - 1843).

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