American statesman and official whose career in government stretches over almost half a century
1838 CE
to 1905 CE
John Milton Hay (October 8, 1838 – July 1, 1905) is an American statesman and official whose career in government stretches over almost half a century.
Beginning as a private secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln, Hay's highest office is United States Secretary of State under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.
Hay is also an author and biographer, and writes poetry and other literature throughout much of his life.
Born in Indiana to an anti-slavery family that moved to Warsaw, Illinois when he was young, Hay showed great potential, and his family sent him to Brown University. After graduation in 1858, Hay read law in his uncle's office in Springfield, Illinois, adjacent to that of Lincoln. Hay worked for Lincoln's successful presidential campaign and became one of his private secretaries at the White House.
Throughout the American Civil War, Hay is close to Lincoln and stands by his deathbed after the President is shot at Ford's Theatre
In addition to his other literary works, Hay co-authors with John George Nicolay a multi-volume biography of Lincoln that helps shape the assassinated president's historical image.
After Lincoln's death, Hay spends several years at diplomatic posts in Europe, then works for the New-York Tribune under Horace Greeley and Whitelaw Reid.
Hay remains active in politics, and from 1879 to 1881 serves as Assistant Secretary of State.
Afterward, he remains in the private sector, until President McKinley, for whom he has been a major backer, makes him Ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1897.
Hay becomes Secretary of State the following year.
Hay serves for almost seven years as Secretary of State, under President McKinley, and after McKinley's assassination, under Theodore Roosevelt.
Hay is responsible for negotiating the Open Door Policy, which keeps China open to trade with all countries on an equal basis, with international powers.
By negotiating the Hay–Pauncefote Treaty with the United Kingdom, the (ultimately unratified) Hay–Herrán Treaty with Colombia, and finally the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty with the newly independent Republic of Panama, Hay also cleared the way for the building of the Panama Canal.
