Cordell Hull holds the record as the longest-serving United States Secretary of State, having managed the nation's diplomatic affairs for eleven years between 1933 and 1944. A career jurist and politician, his influence shaped federal economic policy and established frameworks for international cooperation that persisted long after he concluded his lengthy tenure in Washington, D.C.
Early Legal and Legislative Career
Born in 1871 in Olympus, Tennessee, Hull entered the legal profession after graduating from the Cumberland School of Law in 1891. His early public life included serving as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1893 to 1897. Throughout his career, he balanced these duties with various legal roles, including a stint as a local judge from 1913 to 1917, which earned him the lifelong honorific of Judge.
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Hull served extensively in the federal legislature, holding a seat as a United States representative from 1923 to 1931, in addition to earlier terms. During his time in Congress, he was a member of the Ways and Means committee and drafted the federal income tax law of 1913. He consistently argued that high tariffs unfairly burdened the poor and advocated for more equitable revenue systems based on income.
Diplomatic Leadership and Global Legacy
Appointed United States Secretary of State in 1933, Hull remained in the post until 1944. He prioritized the reduction of trade barriers, notably through the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1934. His efforts toward fostering global diplomacy and international organization earned him the 1945 Nobel Peace Prize. He died in 1955 in Bethesda and is buried at the Washington National Cathedral.
Fast facts
- Born: 1871, Olympus, Tennessee
- Died: 1955, Bethesda
- Party: Democratic
- Education: Cumberland School of Law (1891), National Normal University, Wilmington College
- Positions held: United States Secretary of State (1933-1944)
- Military Rank: Captain
- Awards: Nobel Peace Prize (1945), Medal for Merit
- Religion: Episcopal Church
Questions readers ask
How long did Cordell Hull serve as Secretary of State?
He served for nearly twelve years, from 1933 to 1944, making him the longest-serving individual to hold that position in United States history.
For what achievement did Hull receive the Nobel Peace Prize?
He was awarded the prize in 1945 for his pivotal role in the founding of the United Nations.
Achievements
- Nobel Peace Prize — 1945
- Educated at National Normal University
- Worked as politician, judge and lawyer
