Elihu Root (February 15, 1845 - February 7, 1937) was an American lawyer and statesman who served as the Secretary of War (1899-1904) under two presidents, including President Theodore Roosevelt. He moved frequently between high-level appointed government positions in Washington, D.C. and private-sector legal practice in New York City. For that reason, he is sometimes considered to be the prototype of the 20th century political "wise man," advising presidents on a range of foreign and domestic issues. He was elected by the state legislature as a U.S. Senator from New York and served one term, 1909-15. Root was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1912.