Alphonso Taft

Alphonso Taft
United States Minister to Russia
In office
September 3, 1884 – July 31, 1885
Appointed byChester A. Arthur
Preceded byWilliam H. Hunt
Succeeded byGeorge V. N. Lothrop
United States Minister to Austria-Hungary
In office
June 30, 1882 – August 25, 1884
Appointed byChester A. Arthur
Preceded byWilliam Walter Phelps
Succeeded byJohn M. Francis
34th United States Attorney General
In office
May 22, 1876 – March 4, 1877
PresidentUlysses S. Grant
Preceded byEdwards Pierrepont
Succeeded byCharles Devens
31st United States Secretary of War
In office
March 8, 1876 – May 22, 1876
PresidentUlysses S. Grant
Preceded byWilliam W. Belknap
Succeeded byJ. Donald Cameron
Personal details
Born(1810-11-05)November 5, 1810
Townshend, Vermont, U.S.
DiedMay 21, 1891(1891-05-21) (aged 80)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Resting placeSpring Grove Cemetery
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
Fanny Phelps
(m. 1841; died 1852)
(m. 1853)
Children6, including Charles, William, Henry, Horace
Parents
EducationYale University (BA)
Signature

Alphonso Taft (November 5, 1810 – May 21, 1891) was an American jurist, diplomat, politician, Attorney General and Secretary of War under President Ulysses S. Grant. He was also the founder of the Taft political dynasty, and father of President and Chief Justice William Howard Taft.

As Secretary of War, Taft's popular appointment by Grant did much to restore the integrity of the War Department. Taft reformed the War Department by allowing commanders at Indian forts to choose who could start and run post traderships, and by making reductions in wasteful military spending. While serving as Attorney General, he strongly held that African Americans must not be denied the right to vote through intimidation and violence.[1] Attorney General Taft coauthored a bill to Congress, signed into law by President Grant, that created the Elections Commission that settled the controversial Hayes-Tilden presidential election.[2]

Taft was appointed as minister to Austria-Hungary by Chester A. Arthur in 1882. He served until July 4, 1884, and was then transferred by President Arthur to Minister of Russia, and he served in St. Petersburg until August 1885. Taft had a reputation for serving political office with integrity and character. Taft was a rare and modern 19th century politician who supported black voting rights and who reduced government corruption while holding office.

  1. ^ New York Times (October 26, 1876)
  2. ^ Pringle 1936, p. 264.