Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Hay, John
HAY, JOHN, an American statesman
and writer, born in Salem, Ind.,
Oct. 8, 1838. He was graduated from
Brown University, and settled in Illinois
as a lawyer, but went to Washington
in 1861 as one of Lincoln's private
secretaries, acting also as his aide-de-camp.
He served under Generals Hunter
and Gillmore with the rank of major and
assistant adjutant-general. He was
subsequently in the United States diplomatic
service, stationed at Paris, Vienna, and
Madrid. In 1897 he was made ambassador
to England, and in 1898 Secretary
of State. His literary reputation rests
upon “Pike County Ballads,” the best
known of which are perhaps “Little
Breeches” and “Jim Bludso”; “Castilian
Days” and “Life of Abraham
Lincoln” (with J. G. Nicolay). He died
July 1, 1905.