Luke Edward Wright
Encyclopedia
Luke Edward Wright was a United States
political figure. He served as Governor-General of the Philippines
between 1904 and 1906 and also as Secretary of War
from 1908 to 1909.
in 1850. He attended the public schools, and enlisted at fifteen in the Confederate Army with Company G of the 154th Senior Tennessee Regiment during the American Civil War
. In 1863, Wright was cited for bravery under fire in the Battle of Murfreesboro and was promoted to second lieutenant. After the Civil War, Wright entered the University of Mississippi
, but did not graduate and only attended from 1867 to 1868. He also married Katherine Semmes in 1868.
After studying law in his father’s office, Wright was admitted to the bar and entered into practice in Memphis. For eight years, he served as Tennessee Attorney General
, and was instrumental in establishing a relief committee during an epidemic of yellow fever
in 1878. In 1900, Wright was a member of the second Philippine Commission and was appointed vice-governor of the Philippines in 1901. Wright became full Governor-General of the Philippines
in 1904 and continued in that office until 1906. From 1906 to 1907, Wright served as United States ambassador to Japan
.
From July 1, 1908 to March 1, 1909, Wright served as United States Secretary of War
under President Theodore Roosevelt
. He stressed actions to eliminate unfit officers and sought to take advantage of aviation technology. He served less than a year before resigning and returned to private life. He died in Memphis in 1922.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
political figure. He served as Governor-General of the Philippines
Governor-General of the Philippines
The Governor-General of the Philippines was the title of the government executive during the colonial period of the Philippines, governed mainly by Spain and the United States, and briefly by Great Britain, from 1565 to 1935....
between 1904 and 1906 and also as Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
from 1908 to 1909.
Biography
Wright was born in Giles County, Tennessee and moved with his family to MemphisMemphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
in 1850. He attended the public schools, and enlisted at fifteen in the Confederate Army with Company G of the 154th Senior Tennessee Regiment during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. In 1863, Wright was cited for bravery under fire in the Battle of Murfreesboro and was promoted to second lieutenant. After the Civil War, Wright entered the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
, but did not graduate and only attended from 1867 to 1868. He also married Katherine Semmes in 1868.
After studying law in his father’s office, Wright was admitted to the bar and entered into practice in Memphis. For eight years, he served as Tennessee Attorney General
Tennessee Attorney General
The Tennessee Attorney General is a position within the Tennessee state government. The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer and lawyer for Tennessee. Unlike most states, the Tennessee Attorney General is an officer of the judicial branch, being appointed by the justices of the...
, and was instrumental in establishing a relief committee during an epidemic of yellow fever
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. The virus is a 40 to 50 nm enveloped RNA virus with positive sense of the Flaviviridae family....
in 1878. In 1900, Wright was a member of the second Philippine Commission and was appointed vice-governor of the Philippines in 1901. Wright became full Governor-General of the Philippines
Governor-General of the Philippines
The Governor-General of the Philippines was the title of the government executive during the colonial period of the Philippines, governed mainly by Spain and the United States, and briefly by Great Britain, from 1565 to 1935....
in 1904 and continued in that office until 1906. From 1906 to 1907, Wright served as United States ambassador to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
From July 1, 1908 to March 1, 1909, Wright served as United States Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
under President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
. He stressed actions to eliminate unfit officers and sought to take advantage of aviation technology. He served less than a year before resigning and returned to private life. He died in Memphis in 1922.
Legacy
The "Pool of Pines" or better known as Wright Park in Baguio City, Philippines was named after Governor Luke E. Wright, the architect of this shallow elongated rectangular man-made pool of water. A street in Dumaguete City Negros Oriental is named after him.External links
- Wright Park, Baguio City Philippines http://www.innsison.com/wright-park.htm