The Biography of Cordell Hull

Cordell Hull went into the history of the USA as the nation's longest Secretary of the state. He occupied this high office for 11 years, (from 1933 to 1944) in the administration of Franklin Roosevelt. Hull is famous for his notable contribution to the establishing of the United Nations and is often referred as the Father of the United Nations. In 1945 he was honored by the Nobel Peace Price in recognition of his role in founding this international organization. Before serving as the state's Secretary he was a congressman and senator for 25 years. The home where he was born and spent his childhood is currently the museum and is part of the Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park located close to Byrdstown, Tennessee. The park features the recently reconstructed log cabin as well as the historic museum devoted to his life and accomplishments that exhibits his papers, books, photographs and various memorabilia, including his Noble Prize.
Cordell Hull was born in Olympus, Tennessee, in 1871, in the family of William Paschal Hull and Mary Elizabeth Riley Hull. Cordell was the third of five sons. He studied in college from 1889-1890 and graduated from Cumberland University School of Law in 1891. Hull got interested in politics rather early and at the age of 19 he became chairman of the Clay County Democratic Party. He was the member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1893 to 1897, then took part in the American-Spanish war as the captain of the Fourth Regiment of Tennessee Volunteer Infantry.
After the military service Cordell returned to politics and served 11 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1907-1921, 1923-1931). When in Congress he was the author of the federal income tax laws of 1913 and 1916 as well as the inheritance tax of 1916. Hull got married in 1917, at the age of 47, to Rose Frances Witz. They had no children. In 1920 he was appointed the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Ten years later he was elected the senator but served only till 1933 when he became the Secretary of the State in the administration of Franklin Roosevelt. He resigned from this high office in 1944 because of health reasons.
During his tenure as the Secretary of the State Hull represented American delegation in the London Economic Conference in 1933, worked hard but failed to obtain compensation for America from Mexico for farmlands forfeited because of agrarian reforms of the late 1920's, introduced his 'Good Neighbor' policy in the 30-s that helped prevent Nazi subterfuge in Latin America and took the principle tart in creating the United Nations in 1941-19444 for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1945.
Cornell Hull died in 1955 at the age of 83 having suffered from several strokes and a heart attack. The Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park occupying the territory of 45 acres was open in 1997.