High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Elihu Root (February 15, 1845 – February 7, 1937) was an American lawyer and statesman who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1912. He was the prototype of the 20th century "wise man", who shuttled between high-level appointed government positions in Washington, D.C. and private-sector legal practice in New York City. He served as the Secretary of War (1899-1904) under two presidents, as well as Secretary of State (1905-1909) under President Theodore Roosevelt. He was elected by the state legislature as a US Senator from New York and served one term, 1909-1915.