The name John Hay may not be a familiar one, but his impact on American history is profound. As one of only two private secretaries to President Abraham Lincoln, Hay lived in the White House and became much more than a government aide—he was a close confidant and essentially Lincoln’s surrogate son during some of the nation’s darkest days. That unique bond enabled him to co-author a landmark 10-volume biography of Lincoln published in 1890 and acknowledged to be the best insider’s account of that presidency.
Hay’s story didn’t end with Lincoln’s assassination. He went on to serve as Secretary of State under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt, steering American diplomacy at a pivotal moment, including ending the Spanish–American War and securing American control of the Philippines. Hay negotiated the crucial treaties that granted the United States exclusive rights to build the Panama Canal—a project that transformed global commerce and power dynamics. He also championed the Open Door policy, safeguarding equal trading rights in China amid growing imperial competition.
Historian Ralph Nurnberger shines a light on the remarkable life and legacy of John Hay, a key architect of American power whose diplomatic vision propelled the nation onto the world stage.
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