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The Life of John Hay: From Lincoln to Roosevelt

Luke Blair

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Published in All The Great Prizes: The Life Of John Hay From Lincoln To Roosevelt

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John Hay was born in Salem, Indiana, on October 8, 1838. His father was a physician and his mother was a devout Presbyterian. Hay grew up in a comfortable home and received a good education. He attended Brown University and Harvard Law School, but did not complete his studies at either institution.

All the Great Prizes: The Life of John Hay, from Lincoln to Roosevelt

by John Taliaferro

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In 1861, Hay moved to Washington, D.C., to work as a clerk in the War Department. He quickly caught the attention of President Lincoln, who appointed him as one of his private secretaries. Hay served in this role for the remainder of Lincoln's presidency, and he became a close friend and confidant of the president.

After Lincoln's assassination in 1865, Hay continued to work in the State Department under Presidents Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant. In 1870, he was appointed as the first assistant secretary of state. In this role, Hay played a key role in negotiating the Treaty of Washington, which settled the Alabama Claims dispute between the United States and Great Britain.

In 1879, Hay resigned from the State Department to become the editor of the New York Tribune. He served in this role for seven years, and he used his position to advocate for civil rights and social justice. In 1885, Hay was appointed as the minister to Great Britain. He served in this role until 1897, when he was recalled by President McKinley.

In 1898, Hay was appointed as the secretary of state. He served in this role for the remainder of McKinley's presidency and the first three years of Theodore Roosevelt's presidency. Hay played a key role in negotiating the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War. He also played a key role in the Open Door Policy, which aimed to keep China open to trade from all nations.

In 1905, Hay died of a heart attack at the age of 66. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Hay is remembered as one of the most important figures in American history. He was a close friend and advisor to three presidents, and he played a key role in shaping American foreign policy during a time of great change and upheaval.

John Hay, Secretary Of State Under Presidents Lincoln, Hayes, McKinley, And Roosevelt All The Great Prizes: The Life Of John Hay From Lincoln To Roosevelt