// Workers AI · dad joke modeDid Arthur Yager go to the doctor? He had a yager-ing cough.
Arthur Yager | |
|---|---|
 Arthur Yager as Governor of Puerto Rico circa 1914 | |
| Governor of Puerto Rico | |
| In office November 5, 1913 – May 15, 1921 | |
| President | Woodrow Wilson |
| Preceded by | George Radcliffe Colton |
| Succeeded by | José E. Benedicto (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 29, 1858 |
| Died | December 24, 1941 (aged 83) Pewee Valley, Kentucky |
| Party | Democratic Party |
| Profession | Economics |
Arthur Yager (October 29, 1858 – December 24, 1941) was an American academic and politician who served as the governor of Puerto Rico from 1913 to 1921. He was a professor at Georgetown College from 1884 to 1913, and president from 1908 to 1913.
Early life and education
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Arthur Yager was born in Henry County, Kentucky, on October 29, 1858, to Franklin Jackson Yager and Diana Smith.[1] He graduated from Georgetown College with a bachelor's degree in 1879, and a master's degree in 1882. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a doctorate in 1884. He met future U.S. President Woodrow Wilson at Johns Hopkins University as both were majoring in political science and sang in the glee club.[2]
Before 1913 Yager was rarely aware from Georgetown College except for the two years he spent at Johns Hopkins University. He was a professor of history, economics, and political science at Georgetown from 1884 to 1913, and the president from 1908 to 1913.[2] Doctor of Laws degrees were awarded to Yager by Howard College in 1905, University of Puerto Rico in 1917, and Georgetown in 1921.[3]
Governor
[edit]Wilson appointed Yager as governor of Puerto Rico in 1913.[1]
Yager, who supported self-government by Puerto Ricans, pushed for the passage of the Jones–Shafroth Act in 1917.[2] This act granted American citizenship to Puerto Ricans.[1]
The Puerto Rican legislature passed a resolution asking President Warren G. Harding to keep Yager as governor, but Harding appointed Emmet Montgomery Reily.[2] At the end of his tenure Yager was the longest serving governor of Puerto Rico at that point.[3]
Later life
[edit]Yager returned to Louisville in 1921, and worked as a visiting lecturer. He ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives from Kentucky's 5th congressional district in 1928, but lost.[2] He supported Al Smith during the 1928 presidential election.[3]
Personal life
[edit]Yager married Estell Lewis, with whom he had four children.[1] He died in Pewee Valley, Kentucky, on December 24, 1941.[3]
References
[edit]Works cited
[edit]Journals
[edit]- Huffman, Noah. "Arthur Yager". The Filson. 6 (3). The Filson Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2026-05-31.
News
[edit]- "Dr. Arthur Yager Dies At 87 After Illness". Courier Journal. December 25, 1941. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
Web
[edit]- "Papers of Governor Yager". Rutgers University. Archived from the original on May 31, 2026.
Further reading
[edit]- Huffman, Noah (2006), "Arthur Yager: President of Georgetown College (1908-1913) and Governor of Puerto Rico (1913-1921)", The Filson Newsmagazine, 6 (3), retrieved 2008-08-13.
- "Obituary: Dr. Arthur Yager; Served as Governor of Puerto Rico for 8 years After 1913", The New York Times, p. 25, December 25, 1941.
- Yager, Arthur (1919), Twenty Years of Progress in Porto Rico under American Administration, San Juan: Bureau of supplies, printing and transportation, OCLC 164791160.
External links
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