Polk, Frank L. (Frank Lyon), 1871-1943

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1871-09-13
Death 1943-02-07
French, Italian, Spanish; Castilian, German, English,

Biographical notes:

Epithet: Under-Sec of State in USA

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000976.0x000035

Frank Lyon Polk was born in New York City on September 13, 1871. He graduated from Yale College (B.A., 1894) and Columbia University Law School (LL.D., 1897). Polk served on a variety of New York City boards and commissions (1906-1913) and as Corporation Counsel (1914-1915). He also served in the Department of State as Counselor (1915-1919), Acting Secretary of State (1918-1919), and Under Secretary of State (1919-1920). Polk headed the American Mission to Negotiate Peace (1919) and managed the 1924 Democratic presidential convention campaign of John W. Davis. Polk died in New York City on February 7, 1943.

From the description of Frank Lyon Polk papers, 1883-1942 (inclusive), 1915-1921 (bulk). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702206580

Frank Lyon Polk was born in New York City on September 13, 1871. He graduated from Yale College (B.A., 1894) and Columbia University Law School (LL.D., 1897). Polk served on a variety of New York City boards and commissions (1906-1913) and as Corporation Counsel (1914-1915). He also served in the Department of State as Counselor (1915-1919), Acting Secretary of State (1918-1919), and Under Secretary of State (1919-1920). Polk headed the American Mission to Negotiate Peace (1919) and managed the 1924 Democratic presidential convention campaign of John W. Davis. Polk died in New York City on February 7, 1943.

Frank L. Polk was a lawyer, diplomat, and political and civic leader. Here are some principal events in his public and personal life:

1871 Sep 13 born in New York City to William M. and Ida A. (Lyon) Polk 1890 graduated from Groton School 1894 graduated from Yale College 1897 graduated from Columbia University Law School 1897 1900 served as clerk in the law firm of Evarts, Choate and Beaman 1898 1899 served as Captain and assistant on the Quartermaster Staff of General Ernst's Brigade 1900 formed the legal partnership that became Alexander, Watriss and Polk 1906 1907 served on the New York City Board of Education 1907 1909 served on and presided over the Municipal Civil Service Commission of the City of New York 1908 married Elizabeth Sturgis Potter 1911 1913 served as treasurer of the Bureau of Municipal Research 1913 supported the candidacy of John Purroy Mitchel for Mayor of New York 1914 1915 served as Corporation Counsel of the City of New York 1915 1919 served as Counselor of the State Department 1918 Apr 1918 Sep suffered from a nervous disorder 1918 Dec 1919 Jul served as Acting Secretary of State 1919 Jun 1920 Jun served as Under Secretary of State 1919 Jul 1919 Dec headed the American Mission to Negotiate Peace in Paris 1920 formed the legal partnership that became Davis Polk Wardwell Gardiner and Reed 1924 managed John W. Davis's pre-convention and convention campaign for the Democratic nomination to the presidency 1943 Feb 7 died in New York City

For additional information about Polk's honors and appointments, see the Yale University Obituary Record of Graduates, 1942-1943. For brief assessments of Polk's career, see John W. Davis's memorial in the Association of the Bar of the City of New York Year Book, 1944, and Lawrence E. Gelfand's article in the Dictionary of American Biography, 1941-1945.

From the guide to the Frank Lyon Polk papers, 1883-1942, (Manuscripts and Archives)

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Subjects:

  • Adriatic question
  • Armed Forces
  • Armenian question
  • Law
  • World War, 1914-1918

Occupations:

  • Diplomats
  • Lawyers

Places:

  • New York (State) (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • New York (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • New York (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • New York (State) (as recorded)

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