# Elihu Root

> American politician (1845-1937)

**Wikidata**: [Q220619](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q220619)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elihu_Root)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/elihu-root

## Summary

Elihu Root (February 15, 1845 – February 7, 1937) was a United States politician, lawyer, diplomat, and jurist[1]. Born in Clinton[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10], he died in New York City[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] and was buried at Hamilton College Cemetery[4]. Root attended Hamilton College, New York University School of Law, Columbia University, and Williston Northampton School and worked in law, politics, and diplomacy[1].Root held key government positions, including United States Secretary of War (1899–1904), United States Secretary of State (1905–1909), and United States senator from New York (1909–1913)[11]. He was married to Clara Frances Wales and had three children: Edith Root, Elihu Root Jr., and Edward Wales Root[12]. His career earned him numerous honors, such as the Nobel Peace Prize, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown, and honorary degrees from Leiden University and the University of Paris[13][14][15][16].Root was a member of prestigious organizations, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Phi Beta Kappa Society, American Philosophical Society, and American Academy of Arts and Letters[17]. He also received recognition as a Fellow of the American Statistical Association[13][14][15][16].

## Summary
Elihu Root (1845–1937) was an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat best known for his influential role in U.S. governance and international law. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to arbitration and diplomacy, shaping modern legal and political frameworks.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1845 (exact place not specified in source material)
- **Nationality**: American
- **Education**:
  - Hamilton College (private college in Clinton, New York, founded 1793)
  - New York University School of Law (founded 1835)
  - Affiliated with Columbia University (private university in New York City, founded 1754)
- **Known for**: Nobel Peace Prize laureate, diplomat, jurist, and politician
- **Employer(s)**: United States government (specific roles not detailed in source material)
- **Field(s)**: Law, politics, diplomacy, jurisprudence

## Contributions
Elihu Root made significant contributions to international law and diplomacy, including:
- **Nobel Peace Prize (1912)**: Awarded for his work in advancing arbitration and diplomatic solutions to global conflicts.
- **Honorary Doctorates**:
  - Leiden University (Netherlands)
  - University of Paris (France)
- **Memberships in Prestigious Societies**:
  - American Academy of Arts and Sciences (founded 1780)
  - Phi Beta Kappa Society (founded 1776)
  - American Philosophical Society (founded 1743)
  - American Academy of Arts and Letters (founded 1899)
  - Institut de Droit International (founded 1873)

## FAQs
**What was Elihu Root’s most notable achievement?**
Elihu Root was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to international arbitration and diplomacy, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in global conflict resolution.

**Where did Elihu Root study?**
He attended Hamilton College, New York University School of Law, and was affiliated with Columbia University, all prestigious institutions in the United States.

**What organizations was Elihu Root associated with?**
Root was a member of several esteemed societies, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Phi Beta Kappa, the American Philosophical Society, and the Institut de Droit International.

**What fields did Elihu Root work in?**
He was active in law, politics, diplomacy, and jurisprudence, serving as a politician, lawyer, diplomat, and jurist.

## Why They Matter
Elihu Root’s work in international law and diplomacy helped establish frameworks for peaceful conflict resolution, influencing modern governance and legal systems. His Nobel Peace Prize underscores his enduring impact on global relations, while his honorary degrees and society memberships reflect his intellectual contributions to academia and policy.

## Notable For
- Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1912)
- Honorary doctorates from Leiden University and the University of Paris
- Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Phi Beta Kappa, American Philosophical Society, and Institut de Droit International
- Influential diplomat and jurist in U.S. and international politics

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Elihu Root was born in 1845 in the United States. He pursued higher education at **Hamilton College**, a private institution in Clinton, New York, founded in 1793. He later attended **New York University School of Law**, established in 1835, and was affiliated with **Columbia University**, a leading private university in New York City founded in 1754.

### Career and Public Service
Root served as a **politician, lawyer, diplomat, and jurist**, contributing to U.S. governance and international relations. His exact governmental roles are not specified in the source material, but his influence in **law, politics, and diplomacy** is well-documented.

### Awards and Recognition
- **Nobel Peace Prize (1912)**: One of the highest honors in global peace efforts, awarded for his work in arbitration and diplomacy.
- **Honorary Doctorates**:
  - **Leiden University (Netherlands)**
  - **University of Paris (France)**

### Memberships and Affiliations
Root was a distinguished member of several prestigious organizations:
- **American Academy of Arts and Sciences** (founded 1780)
- **Phi Beta Kappa Society** (founded 1776)
- **American Philosophical Society** (founded 1743)
- **American Academy of Arts and Letters** (founded 1899)
- **Institut de Droit International** (founded 1873)

### Legacy and Influence
Elihu Root’s contributions to **international law, diplomacy, and jurisprudence** have had a lasting impact on global governance. His Nobel Peace Prize and honorary degrees reflect his intellectual and diplomatic achievements, while his memberships in elite societies underscore his influence in academic and policy circles. His work helped shape modern legal and political frameworks, ensuring his place as a key figure in American and international history.

## References

1. [Source](https://archive.org/details/historyofbenchba02mcad/page/336/mode/1up)
2. The Peerage
3. BnF authorities
4. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. Find a Grave
7. [Source](http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1912/)
8. [Source](https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/about/amounts/)
9. [Source](https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/about-us/facts-and-figures/laureates)
10. [Liste des docteurs honoris causa de l'Université de Paris de 1918 à 1933 inclus. Annales de l'Université de Paris. 1934](https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k93885z/f95.item)
11. International Standard Name Identifier
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. CiNii Research
14. NNDB
15. [Source](https://archives.nypl.org/mss/2623)
16. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
17. SNAC
18. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
19. GeneaStar
20. Roglo
21. Croatian Encyclopedia
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. nobelprize.org
24. Autoritats UB
25. Catalogo of the National Library of India