Part 1/8:
The Life and Legacy of John Hay: The Unsung Architect of American Diplomacy
The latter half of the 19th century heralded a transformative period in global and U.S. politics. The United States was no longer just introspective; it began to carve out a significant role on the international stage, a development that would shape its influence through the monumental events of the 20th century. At the heart of this evolution was a figure whose contributions have largely remained obscured by the annals of history: John Milton Hay. Serving as Abraham Lincoln's personal secretary, Hay's multifaceted career spanned half a century, during which he etched the contours of American national character as few others did.