Edward Mandell House American diplomat, politician and presidential advisor Date of Birth: 26.07.1858 Country: USA

1. Biography of Edward Mandell House
2. Early Life and Education
3. Political Career and Advisor to President Wilson
4. Later Life and Legacy

Biography of Edward Mandell House

Edward Mandell House was an American diplomat, politician, and advisor to President Woodrow Wilson. He was nicknamed Colonel House, although he had no military experience, and had a significant personal influence on President Wilson as his advisor on foreign policy matters until Wilson removed him from office in 1919.

Early Life and Education

Edward Mandell House, son of Mayor Thomas William House Sr., was born on July 26, 1858, in Houston, Texas. Their family name was originally spelled as 'Huis' but later changed to 'House.' He studied in schools in New England and continued his education at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York in 1877, but had to leave when his father passed away.

In August 1881, he married Loulie Hunter and returned to Texas, where he took over the management of the family business. However, he eventually sold the cotton plantations and invested in banking, moving to New York City around 1902.

Political Career and Advisor to President Wilson

House actively engaged in politics while in Texas and became an advisor to President Woodrow Wilson, particularly in matters concerning foreign policy. During the peace negotiations in Europe from 1917 to 1919, House was the principal negotiator on the American side. He also served as the Deputy to Wilson at the Paris Peace Conference.

From 1892 to 1902, House helped four individuals become governors of Texas and served as an unofficial advisor to each governor. His first governor, Jim Hogg, bestowed the title of colonel upon House to enhance his authority among his staff.

House became a close friend and supporter of New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson in 1911 and helped him win the presidential elections in 1912. He also assisted in selecting Wilson's administration. Wilson offered House any position of his choice, except for Secretary of State, which was already promised to William Jennings Bryan. However, House declined and remained as his advisor, committing to serve "wherever possible." He even had his own apartments in the White House.

After the death of Wilson's first wife in 1914, their friendship grew stronger. However, Wilson's second wife, Edith Wilson, did not like House, and his influence waned. In the meantime, House immersed himself in foreign policy, striving to end World War I according to Wilson's plan. He spent a significant part of 1915 and 1916 in Europe, attempting to negotiate peace through diplomacy. However, House lacked deep knowledge of European politics, often being misled by British diplomats.

Later Life and Legacy

House played a key role in shaping wartime diplomacy. Together with President Wilson, he assembled a team of experts offering effective solutions to post-war global issues. In September 1918, House was tasked with preparing the constitution of the League of Nations. When Germany requested peace in October, House worked on the details of the peace agreement with the Allies and remained actively involved in the future work of the League of Nations.

Unfortunately, the Paris Peace Conference revealed significant disagreements between Wilson and House, mixed with personal conflicts. During this period, Wilson severed ties with almost all his closest advisors, including House. In mid-March 1919, Wilson lost trust in House and removed him from office.

In the 1920s, House strongly supported the United States' membership in the League of Nations and the International Court. In 1932, he supported Franklin D. Roosevelt but did not join his inner circle of supporters. Although he later became disillusioned with the "New Deal," he did not publicly express his disappointment.

Edward M. House passed away on March 28, 1938, in New York City, from pleurisy, and was buried in Houston.