Nicholas Murray Butler was an American philosopher, diplomat, teacher, and peace activist who worked for peace around the world. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize because he worked to make the Briand-Kellogg pact happen. Butler was a good student from a young age on, and by the time he was 22, he had earned his PhD. He first worked at Columbia College as a member of the philosophy department’s staff. After more than 15 years of service to the University, he became its president. Butler was president of Columbia University for 43 years. He is still the president who has been in charge the longest. He is also seen as the university’s most influential president because of the changes that happened while he was in charge. He built new buildings and added new departments, making the university one of the best places to learn in the world. Butler was also a very important part of the Republican Convention, which he had been a part of for almost 50 years. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which he set up and ran for 20 years, was his most important work.
Early years and childhood
Nicholas Murray Butler was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on April 2, 1862. His parents were Henry Butler and Mary Butler. His father used to work in a factory, and his mother took care of the family. She was the daughter of a minister.
No one knows what schools Nicholas Murray Butler went to as a child, but most say he was a great student who stood out because of his good grades.
Nicholas Murray Butler went to Columbia University, which was then called Columbia College after he was done with school. In 1882, he got his bachelor’s degree. In 1883, he got his master’s degree, and in 1884, he got his Ph.D. He also got his master’s and Ph.D. from Columbia College. Theodore Roosevelt called Butler “Nicholas Miraculous” because of how well he did in school.
Nicholas Murray’s Career
Nicholas Murray Butler spent some time in Paris and Berlin in 1885 to improve his education. He then became one of the most promising students in the philosophy department at Columbia College. He would go on to do great things for the university for the next 60 years.
Even though he did well as a student, Nicholas Murray Butler made his mark at Columbia College as a teacher. He was one of the people who started the New York School for the Training of Teachers in 1887. This school later became the Teachers College, which is part of Columbia University.
In 1890, he became a lecturer at John Hopkins University, but he only stayed there for a year. For the next ten years, he worked as a member of the New Jersey Board of Education.
Nicholas Murray Burton became Columbia University’s interim president in 1901, and he became the university’s president in 1902. He went on to be the University’s president for 43 years, making him the longest-serving president in the University’s history. During his time as president, the university got a lot of new departments and buildings that made it clear that it was one of the best in the world.
Nicholas Murray Butler went to the Republican National Convention every year for 49 years, beginning in 1888. He was a powerful member of the party.
In 1916, Butler helped his friend Elihu Root, who was running for the Republican nomination for president, but it didn’t work out. In 1920 and 1928, he tried to get himself nominated for president, but he failed both times.
In his efforts to bring peace to the world, Butler also helped bring together the worlds of academia and politics.
Butler was not only in charge of the Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration, but he also got Andrew Carnegie to give the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace $10 million. Starting in 1925, he was in charge of the Endowment for 20 years.
Works of note
Nicholas Murray Butler was the President of Columbia University for 43 years. During that time, he changed the school in many ways.
He did great things for world peace and helped set up the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which he then ran for 20 years.
Awards & Achievements
Nicholas Murray Butler and Jane Addams both won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. Butler won for promoting the Briand-Kellogg pact and being the leader of the more established part of the American peace movement. Addams won for her work with the poor.
Personal History and Legacies
Nicholas Murray Butler married Susanna Edwards Schuyler in 1887, and they had a daughter together. Susanna died in 1903.
Butler married Kate La Montagne, in 1907. From his second marriage, he didn’t have any children.
Nicholas Murray Butler died in New York on December 7, 1947. He was 85 years old.
Estimated Net worth
Estimated to be worth $5 million in 2021 (Approx.)