Alphonso Taft

Alphonso Taft
United States Minister to Russia
In office September 3, 1884 – July 31, 1885
Appointed by	Chester A. Arthur
Preceded by	William H. Hunt
Succeeded by	George V. N. Lothrop
United States Minister to Austria-Hungary
In office June 30, 1882 – August 25, 1884
Appointed by	Chester A. Arthur
Preceded by	William Walter Phelps
Succeeded by	John M. Francis
34th United States Attorney General
In office May 22, 1876 – March 4, 1877
President	Ulysses S. Grant
Preceded by	Edwards Pierrepont
Succeeded by	Charles Devens
31st United States Secretary of War
In office March 8, 1876 – May 22, 1876
President	Ulysses S. Grant
Preceded by	William W. Belknap
Succeeded by	J. Donald Cameron
Personal details
Born	(1810-11-05)November 5, 1810 Townshend, Vermont, U.S.
Died	May 21, 1891(1891-05-21) (aged 80) San Diego, California, U.S.
Resting place	Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Fanny Phelps ​ ​ (m. 1841; died 1852)​ Louise Torrey ​ (m. 1853)​
Children	6, including Charles, William, Henry, Horace
Parents	Peter Rawson Taft (father) Sylvia Howard (mother)
Education	Yale University (BA)
Signature

Alphonso Taft (November 5, 1810 – May 21, 1891) was an American jurist, diplomat, politician, Attorney General and Secretary of War under President Ulysses S. Grant. He was also the founder of the Taft political dynasty, and father of President and Chief Justice William Howard Taft.

As Secretary of War, Taft's popular appointment by Grant did much to restore the integrity of the War Department. Taft reformed the War Department by allowing commanders at Indian forts to choose who could start and run post traderships, and by making reductions in wasteful military spending. While serving as Attorney General, he strongly held that African Americans must not be denied the right to vote through intimidation and violence.^[1] Attorney General Taft coauthored a bill to Congress, signed into law by President Grant, that created the Elections Commission that settled the controversial Hayes-Tilden presidential election.^[2]

Taft was appointed as minister to Austria-Hungary by Chester A. Arthur in 1882. He served until July 4, 1884, and was then transferred by President Arthur to Minister of Russia, and he served in St. Petersburg until August 1885. Taft had a reputation for serving political office with integrity and character. Taft was a rare and modern 19th century politician who supported black voting rights and who reduced government corruption while holding office.