# Elihu Root — Recollections of Full Years character guide

> Elihu Root in Recollections of Full Years by Helen Herron Taft.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Root, Root, Secretary Root

**First appearance:** 0005-iii-to-the-philippines

## Snapshot

The Secretary of War who shaped American Philippine policy and, in Helen's telling, stands among the shrewd public men surrounding her husband's rise.

## Who they are

Root belongs to the official circle that frames Taft's career—the Washington figures whose approval and counsel helped move him from Cincinnati to the cabinet and beyond. In Helen's recollections he is less a personality than a force: the architect of colonial administration whose judgments the Tafts must reckon with. His presence marks the book's larger argument that public life is a web of such men, and that a wife's memoir is also a record of them.

## In the story

### [II: Cincinnati and Washington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/ii-cincinnati-and-washington)

Secretary of War who helped persuade Taft to accept the mission, drafting the letter of instructions and emphasizing the opportunity for service.

### [Days of the Empire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/vii-days-of-the-empire)

Receives Taft's humorous letter about native hospitality; communicates McKinley's plan to abolish military governorship.

### [X: Governor Taft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/x-governor-taft)

Secretary of War; Taft hopes he will continue in office to maintain continuity in Philippine policy.

### [XI: A Trip to Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xi-a-trip-to-rome)

Provides Taft with definite instructions for the Rome mission and hosts him in Washington.

### [Busy Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xiv-busy-years)

Part of 'Three Musketeers' (Athos); delegated to campaign in New York; corresponds with Taft.

### [XV: A Hurried Trip Around the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xv-a-hurried-trip-around-the-world)

Taft submits his acceptance speech to Root for review.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/characters/mr_root
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/characters