ELIHU ROOT - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 03/15/1935 - HFSID 26381

ELIHU ROOT
Two years before his death, the 1912 Nobel Peace Prize-winner sent this signed letter to an admirer
Typed Letter Signed: "Elihu Root". One page. 5½x6¾. New York. March 15, 1935. Sending his autograph to Miss Florence Spence, New York City. In Full: “I cheerfully send you the autograph you wish.” Elihu Root (1845-1937) first gained notoriety as a top-notch lawyer. Notable clients include William "Boss" Tweed (junior counsel), Andrew Carnegie, eventual President Chester A. Arthur, and Jay Gould. He was named a United States Attorney by former client President Chester A. Arthur and later served as the Secretary of War for President William McKinley and President Theodore Roosevelt from 1899-1904. As Secretary of War, he modernized the armed forces of the United States, particularly the National Guard. Roosevelt appointed him to be Secretary of State following John Hay's death in 1905; he served in that position until 1909. Root was elected to represent New York in the United States Senate for one term, from 1909-1915. As recognition for his arbitration and collaboration skills between multiple international actors, Root was awarded the 1912 Nobel Peace Prize. In 1917, the elderly statesman was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to travel to revolutionary Russia to engage in cooperation talks with the new government. He promoted international arbitration treaties and played an influential role at the Washington Naval Conference (1921-1922). Today, his home in Clinton, New York, stands as a National Historic Landmark. Fine condition.