John (Milton) Hay

Journalist, historian, poet, and diplomat, born in Salem, Indiana, USA. After working in a law office next to that of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, IL, he served President Lincoln in the White House as assistant private secretary (1861–5) in a close relationship that has been described as resembling that of father and son. He then served as diplomat in Paris (1865–76), Vienna (1867–8), and Madrid (1869–70). His widely known ballads were collected in Pike County Ballads (1871) and from 1870–5 he was staff editorial writer at the New York Tribune. After serving as assistant secretary of state (1879–81), he completed with George Nicolay his monumental Abraham Lincoln: A History (1890), making him a sort of political poet laureate. In 1897 he was successful as ambassador to Britain. As secretary of state (1898–1905), he drafted the Open Door policy, instituted regular press conferences, and paved the way for the building of the Panama Canal, making his office and American foreign policy of worldwide influence.

John Milton Hay

12th United States Assistant Secretary of State
In office
November 1, 1879 – May 3, 1881
Preceded by	Frederick W. Seward
Succeeded by	Robert R. Hitt
37th United States Secretary of State
In office
September 30, 1898 – July 1, 1905
Preceded by	William R. Day
Succeeded by	Elihu Root
Born	October 8, 1838 Salem, Indiana, USA
Died	July 1, 1905 Newbury, New Hampshire, USA
Political party	Republican
Profession	Author, Journalist, Statesman, Politician, Secretary

John Milton Hay (October 8, 1838 – July 1, 1905) was an American statesman, diplomat, author, journalist, and private secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln.

Hay's diary and writings during the Civil War are basic historical sources.

John Hay was present when President Lincoln died after being shot at Ford's Theatre.

Portions of Hay's diaries and letters from 1861-1870, published in the book "Lincoln and the Civil War," show the President in a far more intimate light.

Hay was named U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1897 when his friend William McKinley became President.

In 1904, John Hay was one of the first seven chosen for membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

John Milton Hay appears as a character in Gore Vidal's historical novels Lincoln and Empire.

Hay was a dear friend to Henry Adams, American historian and author.

Brown University's John Hay Library housed the entire library collection from its construction in 1910 until the John D.

For more information regarding John Hay, read The Five of Hearts.