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United States Secretary of War

Updated: Wikipedia source

United States Secretary of War

The secretary of war was a member of the U.S. Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War", had been appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation between 1781 and 1789. Benjamin Lincoln and later Henry Knox held the position. When Washington was inaugurated as the first President under the Constitution, he appointed Knox to continue serving as Secretary of War. The secretary of war was the head of the War Department. At first, he was responsible for the United States Army and the Navy. In 1798, the secretary of the Navy was created by statute, and the scope of responsibility for the War Department was reduced to the Army. From 1886 onward, the secretary of war was in the line of succession to the presidency, after the vice president of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the president pro tempore of the Senate and the secretary of state. In 1947, with the passing of the National Security Act of 1947, the secretary of war was replaced by the secretary of the Army and the secretary of the Air Force and a new secretary, the secretary of defense, was created for coordination of the services. Since 1949, the service secretaries, Army, Air Force, and Navy, have been non-Cabinet subordinates under the secretary of defense. The secretary of the Army's office is generally considered the direct successor to the secretary of war's office, with the new secretary of defense taking the secretaries of war and navy positions in the Cabinet, and the line of succession to the presidency.

Infobox

Seat
Washington, D.C.
Type
Secretary
Style
Mr. Secretary
Status
Abolished
Abolished
September 18, 1947
Appointer
The presidentwith Senate advice and consent
Formation
September 12, 1789
Member of
Cabinet
Precursor
Secretary at War
Reports to
President of the United States
Succession
6th in the line of succession
Term length
No fixed term
Final holder
Kenneth C. Royall
First holder
Henry Knox
Superseded by
Secretary of DefenseSecretary of the ArmySecretary of the Air Force

Tables

· List of secretaries › Secretary at War (1781–1789)
Benjamin Lincoln
Benjamin Lincoln
No.
Name
Benjamin Lincoln
Home State
Massachusetts
Start
March 1, 1781
End
November 2, 1783
Appointer
Congress of the Confederation
Henry Knox
Henry Knox
No.
Name
Henry Knox
Home State
Massachusetts
Start
March 8, 1785
End
September 12, 1789
Image
No.
Name
Home State
Start
End
Appointer
1
Benjamin Lincoln
Massachusetts
March 1, 1781
November 2, 1783
Congress of the Confederation
2
Henry Knox
Massachusetts
March 8, 1785
September 12, 1789
· List of secretaries › Secretary of War (1789–1947)
Timothy Pickering
Timothy Pickering
No. → 1
2
Name → Henry Knox
Timothy Pickering
Start → September 12, 1789
January 2, 1795
End → December 31, 1794
December 10, 1795
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
342 days
Party → Federalist
Federalist
Home State → Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
James McHenry
James McHenry
No. → 1
3
Name → Henry Knox
James McHenry
Start → September 12, 1789
January 27, 1796
End → December 31, 1794
June 1, 1800
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
4 years, 125 days
Party → Federalist
Federalist
Home State → Massachusetts
Maryland
Samuel Dexter
Samuel Dexter
No. → 1
4
Name → Henry Knox
Samuel Dexter
Start → September 12, 1789
June 1, 1800
End → December 31, 1794
January 31, 1801
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
244 days
Party → Federalist
Federalist
Home State → Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Henry Dearborn
Henry Dearborn
No. → 1
5
Name → Henry Knox
Henry Dearborn
Start → September 12, 1789
March 5, 1801
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1809
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
7 years, 364 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic-Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Massachusetts
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Thomas Jefferson(1801–1809)
William Eustis
William Eustis
No. → 1
6
Name → Henry Knox
William Eustis
Start → September 12, 1789
March 7, 1809
End → December 31, 1794
January 13, 1813
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 312 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic-Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Massachusetts
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
James Madison(1809–1817)
John Armstrong Jr.
John Armstrong Jr.
No. → 1
7
Name → Henry Knox
John Armstrong Jr.
Start → September 12, 1789
January 13, 1813
End → December 31, 1794
September 27, 1814
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
1 year, 257 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic-Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
New York
James Monroe
James Monroe
No. → 1
8
Name → Henry Knox
James Monroe
Start → September 12, 1789
September 27, 1814
End → December 31, 1794
March 2, 1815
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
156 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic-Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Virginia
William H. Crawford
William H. Crawford
No. → 1
9
Name → Henry Knox
William H. Crawford
Start → September 12, 1789
August 1, 1815
End → December 31, 1794
October 22, 1816
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
1 year, 82 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic-Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Georgia
John C. Calhoun
John C. Calhoun
No. → 1
10
Name → Henry Knox
John C. Calhoun
Start → September 12, 1789
October 8, 1817
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1825
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
7 years, 147 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic-Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
South Carolina
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
James Monroe(1817–1825)
James Barbour
James Barbour
No. → 1
11
Name → Henry Knox
James Barbour
Start → September 12, 1789
March 7, 1825
End → December 31, 1794
May 23, 1828
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 77 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic-Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Virginia
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
John Quincy Adams(1825–1829)
Peter Buell Porter
Peter Buell Porter
No. → 1
12
Name → Henry Knox
Peter Buell Porter
Start → September 12, 1789
May 23, 1828
End → December 31, 1794
March 9, 1829
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
290 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic-Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
New York
John Eaton
John Eaton
No. → 1
13
Name → Henry Knox
John Eaton
Start → September 12, 1789
March 9, 1829
End → December 31, 1794
June 18, 1831
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
2 years, 101 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
Tennessee
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Andrew Jackson(1829–1837)
Lewis Cass
Lewis Cass
No. → 1
14
Name → Henry Knox
Lewis Cass
Start → September 12, 1789
August 1, 1831
End → December 31, 1794
October 5, 1836
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
5 years, 65 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
Ohio
Joel Roberts Poinsett
Joel Roberts Poinsett
No. → 1
15
Name → Henry Knox
Joel Roberts Poinsett
Start → September 12, 1789
March 7, 1837
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1841
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 362 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
South Carolina
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Martin Van Buren(1837–1841)
John Bell
John Bell
No. → 1
16
Name → Henry Knox
John Bell
Start → September 12, 1789
March 5, 1841
End → December 31, 1794
September 13, 1841
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
193 days
Party → Federalist
Whig
Home State → Massachusetts
South Carolina
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
William Henry Harrison(1841)
John Canfield Spencer
John Canfield Spencer
No. → 1
17
Name → Henry Knox
John Canfield Spencer
Start → September 12, 1789
October 12, 1841
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1843
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
1 year, 143 days
Party → Federalist
Whig
Home State → Massachusetts
New York
James Madison Porter
James Madison Porter
No. → 1
18
Name → Henry Knox
James Madison Porter
Start → September 12, 1789
March 8, 1843
End → December 31, 1794
February 14, 1844
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
347 days
Party → Federalist
Whig
Home State → Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
William Wilkins
William Wilkins
No. → 1
19
Name → Henry Knox
William Wilkins
Start → September 12, 1789
February 15, 1844
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1845
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
1 year, 17 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
William Learned Marcy
William Learned Marcy
No. → 1
20
Name → Henry Knox
William Learned Marcy
Start → September 12, 1789
March 6, 1845
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1849
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 363 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
New York
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
James K. Polk(1845–1849)
George W. Crawford
George W. Crawford
No. → 1
21
Name → Henry Knox
George W. Crawford
Start → September 12, 1789
March 8, 1849
End → December 31, 1794
July 22, 1850
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
1 year, 136 days
Party → Federalist
Whig
Home State → Massachusetts
Georgia
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Zachary Taylor(1849–1850)
Charles Magill Conrad
Charles Magill Conrad
No. → 1
22
Name → Henry Knox
Charles Magill Conrad
Start → September 12, 1789
August 15, 1850
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1853
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
2 years, 201 days
Party → Federalist
Whig
Home State → Massachusetts
Virginia
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Millard Fillmore(1850–1853)
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
No. → 1
23
Name → Henry Knox
Jefferson Davis
Start → September 12, 1789
March 7, 1853
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1857
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 362 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
Mississippi
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Franklin Pierce(1853–1857)
John B. Floyd
John B. Floyd
No. → 1
24
Name → Henry Knox
John B. Floyd
Start → September 12, 1789
March 6, 1857
End → December 31, 1794
December 29, 1860
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 298 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
Virginia
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
James Buchanan(1857–1861)
Joseph Holt
Joseph Holt
No. → 1
25
Name → Henry Knox
Joseph Holt
Start → September 12, 1789
January 18, 1861
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1861
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
45 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Kentucky
Simon Cameron
Simon Cameron
No. → 1
26
Name → Henry Knox
Simon Cameron
Start → September 12, 1789
March 5, 1861
End → December 31, 1794
January 14, 1862
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
315 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Abraham Lincoln(1861–1865)
Edwin M. Stanton
Edwin M. Stanton
No. → 1
27
Name → Henry Knox
Edwin M. Stanton
Start → September 12, 1789
January 20, 1862Suspended: August 12, 1867 – January 14, 1868
End → December 31, 1794
May 28, 1868
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
6 years, 129 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
Ulysses S. GrantActing
Ulysses S. GrantActing
No. → 1
–
Name → Henry Knox
Ulysses S. GrantActing
Start → September 12, 1789
August 12, 1867
End → December 31, 1794
January 14, 1868
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
155 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Ohio
John McAllister Schofield
John McAllister Schofield
No. → 1
28
Name → Henry Knox
John McAllister Schofield
Start → September 12, 1789
June 1, 1868
End → December 31, 1794
March 13, 1869
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
285 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Illinois
John Aaron Rawlins
John Aaron Rawlins
No. → 1
29
Name → Henry Knox
John Aaron Rawlins
Start → September 12, 1789
March 13, 1869
End → December 31, 1794
September 6, 1869
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
177 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Illinois
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Ulysses S. Grant(1869–1877)
William ShermanActing
William ShermanActing
No. → 1
–
Name → Henry Knox
William ShermanActing
Start → September 12, 1789
September 6, 1869
End → December 31, 1794
October 25, 1869
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
49 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Ohio
William W. Belknap
William W. Belknap
No. → 1
30
Name → Henry Knox
William W. Belknap
Start → September 12, 1789
October 25, 1869
End → December 31, 1794
March 2, 1876
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
6 years, 129 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Iowa
Alphonso Taft
Alphonso Taft
No. → 1
31
Name → Henry Knox
Alphonso Taft
Start → September 12, 1789
March 8, 1876
End → December 31, 1794
May 22, 1876
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
81 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Ohio
J. Donald Cameron
J. Donald Cameron
No. → 1
32
Name → Henry Knox
J. Donald Cameron
Start → September 12, 1789
May 22, 1876
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1877
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
286 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
George W. McCrary
George W. McCrary
No. → 1
33
Name → Henry Knox
George W. McCrary
Start → September 12, 1789
March 12, 1877
End → December 31, 1794
December 10, 1879
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
2 years, 273 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Iowa
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Rutherford B. Hayes(1877–1881)
Alexander Ramsey
Alexander Ramsey
No. → 1
34
Name → Henry Knox
Alexander Ramsey
Start → September 12, 1789
December 10, 1879
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1881
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
1 year, 84 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Minnesota
Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln
No. → 1
35
Name → Henry Knox
Robert Todd Lincoln
Start → September 12, 1789
March 5, 1881
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1885
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 364 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Illinois
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
James A. Garfield(1881)
William Crowninshield Endicott
William Crowninshield Endicott
No. → 1
36
Name → Henry Knox
William Crowninshield Endicott
Start → September 12, 1789
March 5, 1885
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1889
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 364 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
Massachusetts
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Grover Cleveland(1885–1889)
Redfield Proctor
Redfield Proctor
No. → 1
37
Name → Henry Knox
Redfield Proctor
Start → September 12, 1789
March 5, 1889
End → December 31, 1794
November 5, 1891
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
2 years, 245 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Vermont
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Benjamin Harrison(1889–1893)
Stephen Benton Elkins
Stephen Benton Elkins
No. → 1
38
Name → Henry Knox
Stephen Benton Elkins
Start → September 12, 1789
December 17, 1891
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1893
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
1 year, 77 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
West Virginia
Daniel S. Lamont
Daniel S. Lamont
No. → 1
39
Name → Henry Knox
Daniel S. Lamont
Start → September 12, 1789
March 5, 1893
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1897
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 364 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
New York
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Grover Cleveland(1885–1889)
Russell A. Alger
Russell A. Alger
No. → 1
40
Name → Henry Knox
Russell A. Alger
Start → September 12, 1789
March 5, 1897
End → December 31, 1794
August 1, 1899
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
2 years, 149 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Michigan
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
William McKinley(1897–1901)
Elihu Root
Elihu Root
No. → 1
41
Name → Henry Knox
Elihu Root
Start → September 12, 1789
August 1, 1899
End → December 31, 1794
January 31, 1904
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
4 years, 183 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
New York
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
No. → 1
42
Name → Henry Knox
William Howard Taft
Start → September 12, 1789
February 1, 1904
End → December 31, 1794
June 30, 1908
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
4 years, 150 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Ohio
Luke Edward Wright
Luke Edward Wright
No. → 1
43
Name → Henry Knox
Luke Edward Wright
Start → September 12, 1789
July 1, 1908
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1909
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
246 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Tennessee
Jacob M. Dickinson
Jacob M. Dickinson
No. → 1
44
Name → Henry Knox
Jacob M. Dickinson
Start → September 12, 1789
March 12, 1909
End → December 31, 1794
May 21, 1911
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
2 years, 70 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
Tennessee
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
William Howard Taft(1909–1913)
Henry L. Stimson
Henry L. Stimson
No. → 1
45
Name → Henry Knox
Henry L. Stimson
Start → September 12, 1789
May 22, 1911
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1913
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
1 year, 286 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
New York
Lindley Miller Garrison
Lindley Miller Garrison
No. → 1
46
Name → Henry Knox
Lindley Miller Garrison
Start → September 12, 1789
March 5, 1913
End → December 31, 1794
February 10, 1916
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
2 years, 342 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
New Jersey
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Woodrow Wilson(1913–1921)
Newton D. Baker
Newton D. Baker
No. → 1
47
Name → Henry Knox
Newton D. Baker
Start → September 12, 1789
March 9, 1916
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1921
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
4 years, 360 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
Ohio
John W. Weeks
John W. Weeks
No. → 1
48
Name → Henry Knox
John W. Weeks
Start → September 12, 1789
March 5, 1921
End → December 31, 1794
October 13, 1925
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
4 years, 223 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Massachusetts
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Warren G. Harding(1921–1923)
Dwight F. Davis
Dwight F. Davis
No. → 1
49
Name → Henry Knox
Dwight F. Davis
Start → September 12, 1789
October 14, 1925
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1929
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 141 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Missouri
James William Good
James William Good
No. → 1
50
Name → Henry Knox
James William Good
Start → September 12, 1789
March 6, 1929
End → December 31, 1794
November 18, 1929
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
257 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Iowa
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Herbert Hoover(1929–1933)
Patrick J. Hurley
Patrick J. Hurley
No. → 1
51
Name → Henry Knox
Patrick J. Hurley
Start → September 12, 1789
December 9, 1929
End → December 31, 1794
March 4, 1933
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 85 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
Oklahoma
George Dern
George Dern
No. → 1
52
Name → Henry Knox
George Dern
Start → September 12, 1789
March 4, 1933
End → December 31, 1794
August 27, 1936
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 176 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
Utah
President(s) → George Washington(1789–1797)
Franklin D. Roosevelt(1933–1945)
Harry Hines Woodring
Harry Hines Woodring
No. → 1
53
Name → Henry Knox
Harry Hines Woodring
Start → September 12, 1789
September 25, 1936
End → December 31, 1794
June 20, 1940
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
3 years, 298 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
Kansas
Henry L. Stimson
Henry L. Stimson
No. → 1
54
Name → Henry Knox
Henry L. Stimson
Start → September 12, 1789
July 10, 1940
End → December 31, 1794
September 21, 1945
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
5 years, 73 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
New York
Robert P. Patterson
Robert P. Patterson
No. → 1
55
Name → Henry Knox
Robert P. Patterson
Start → September 12, 1789
September 27, 1945
End → December 31, 1794
July 18, 1947
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
1 year, 294 days
Party → Federalist
Republican
Home State → Massachusetts
New York
Kenneth Royall
Kenneth Royall
No. → 1
56
Name → Henry Knox
Kenneth Royall
Start → September 12, 1789
July 19, 1947
End → December 31, 1794
September 18, 1947
Duration → 5 years, 110 days
61 days
Party → Federalist
Democratic
Home State → Massachusetts
North Carolina
No.
Image
Name
Start
End
Duration
Party
Home State
President(s)
1
Henry Knox
September 12, 1789
December 31, 1794
5 years, 110 days
Federalist
Massachusetts
George Washington(1789–1797)
2
Timothy Pickering
January 2, 1795
December 10, 1795
342 days
Federalist
Pennsylvania
3
James McHenry
January 27, 1796
June 1, 1800
4 years, 125 days
Federalist
Maryland
John Adams(1797–1801)
4
Samuel Dexter
June 1, 1800
January 31, 1801
244 days
Federalist
Massachusetts
5
Henry Dearborn
March 5, 1801
March 4, 1809
7 years, 364 days
Democratic-Republican
Massachusetts
Thomas Jefferson(1801–1809)
6
William Eustis
March 7, 1809
January 13, 1813
3 years, 312 days
Democratic-Republican
Massachusetts
James Madison(1809–1817)
7
John Armstrong Jr.
January 13, 1813
September 27, 1814
1 year, 257 days
Democratic-Republican
New York
8
James Monroe
September 27, 1814
March 2, 1815
156 days
Democratic-Republican
Virginia
9
William H. Crawford
August 1, 1815
October 22, 1816
1 year, 82 days
Democratic-Republican
Georgia
10
John C. Calhoun
October 8, 1817
March 4, 1825
7 years, 147 days
Democratic-Republican
South Carolina
James Monroe(1817–1825)
11
James Barbour
March 7, 1825
May 23, 1828
3 years, 77 days
Democratic-Republican
Virginia
John Quincy Adams(1825–1829)
12
Peter Buell Porter
May 23, 1828
March 9, 1829
290 days
Democratic-Republican
New York
13
John Eaton
March 9, 1829
June 18, 1831
2 years, 101 days
Democratic
Tennessee
Andrew Jackson(1829–1837)
14
Lewis Cass
August 1, 1831
October 5, 1836
5 years, 65 days
Democratic
Ohio
15
Joel Roberts Poinsett
March 7, 1837
March 4, 1841
3 years, 362 days
Democratic
South Carolina
Martin Van Buren(1837–1841)
16
John Bell
March 5, 1841
September 13, 1841
193 days
Whig
South Carolina
William Henry Harrison(1841)
John Tyler(1841–1845)
17
John Canfield Spencer
October 12, 1841
March 4, 1843
1 year, 143 days
Whig
New York
18
James Madison Porter
March 8, 1843
February 14, 1844
347 days
Whig
Pennsylvania
19
William Wilkins
February 15, 1844
March 4, 1845
1 year, 17 days
Democratic
Pennsylvania
20
William Learned Marcy
March 6, 1845
March 4, 1849
3 years, 363 days
Democratic
New York
James K. Polk(1845–1849)
21
George W. Crawford
March 8, 1849
July 22, 1850
1 year, 136 days
Whig
Georgia
Zachary Taylor(1849–1850)
22
Charles Magill Conrad
August 15, 1850
March 4, 1853
2 years, 201 days
Whig
Virginia
Millard Fillmore(1850–1853)
23
Jefferson Davis
March 7, 1853
March 4, 1857
3 years, 362 days
Democratic
Mississippi
Franklin Pierce(1853–1857)
24
John B. Floyd
March 6, 1857
December 29, 1860
3 years, 298 days
Democratic
Virginia
James Buchanan(1857–1861)
25
Joseph Holt
January 18, 1861
March 4, 1861
45 days
Republican
Kentucky
26
Simon Cameron
March 5, 1861
January 14, 1862
315 days
Republican
Pennsylvania
Abraham Lincoln(1861–1865)
27
Edwin M. Stanton
January 20, 1862Suspended: August 12, 1867 – January 14, 1868
May 28, 1868
6 years, 129 days
Republican
Pennsylvania
Andrew Johnson(1865–1869)
–
Ulysses S. GrantActing
August 12, 1867
January 14, 1868
155 days
Republican
Ohio
28
John McAllister Schofield
June 1, 1868
March 13, 1869
285 days
Republican
Illinois
29
John Aaron Rawlins
March 13, 1869
September 6, 1869
177 days
Republican
Illinois
Ulysses S. Grant(1869–1877)
–
William ShermanActing
September 6, 1869
October 25, 1869
49 days
Republican
Ohio
30
William W. Belknap
October 25, 1869
March 2, 1876
6 years, 129 days
Republican
Iowa
31
Alphonso Taft
March 8, 1876
May 22, 1876
81 days
Republican
Ohio
32
J. Donald Cameron
May 22, 1876
March 4, 1877
286 days
Republican
Pennsylvania
33
George W. McCrary
March 12, 1877
December 10, 1879
2 years, 273 days
Republican
Iowa
Rutherford B. Hayes(1877–1881)
34
Alexander Ramsey
December 10, 1879
March 4, 1881
1 year, 84 days
Republican
Minnesota
35
Robert Todd Lincoln
March 5, 1881
March 4, 1885
3 years, 364 days
Republican
Illinois
James A. Garfield(1881)
Chester A. Arthur(1881–1885)
36
William Crowninshield Endicott
March 5, 1885
March 4, 1889
3 years, 364 days
Democratic
Massachusetts
Grover Cleveland(1885–1889)
37
Redfield Proctor
March 5, 1889
November 5, 1891
2 years, 245 days
Republican
Vermont
Benjamin Harrison(1889–1893)
38
Stephen Benton Elkins
December 17, 1891
March 4, 1893
1 year, 77 days
Republican
West Virginia
39
Daniel S. Lamont
March 5, 1893
March 4, 1897
3 years, 364 days
Democratic
New York
Grover Cleveland(1885–1889)
40
Russell A. Alger
March 5, 1897
August 1, 1899
2 years, 149 days
Republican
Michigan
William McKinley(1897–1901)
41
Elihu Root
August 1, 1899
January 31, 1904
4 years, 183 days
Republican
New York
Theodore Roosevelt(1901–1909)
42
William Howard Taft
February 1, 1904
June 30, 1908
4 years, 150 days
Republican
Ohio

References

  1. Unknown[permanent dead link]
    http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?hlaw:7:./temp/~ammem_WqlO::
  2. "Papers of the War Department"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20181229031532/http://wardepartmentpapers.org/document.php?id=39592
  3. From August 12, 1867 until January 14, 1868, Stanton was suspended from office, and Ulysses S. Grant served as Acting Se
  4. From August 12, 1867 until January 14, 1868, Stanton was suspended from office, and Ulysses S. Grant served as Acting Se
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