Influential Early 20th Century Leader in NYC

This photograph captures George B. Cortelyou, an influential figure in early 20th-century America, during his time in New York. Cortelyou served as Secretary of Commerce and Labor under President Theodore Roosevelt and later became the first Secretary of the Treasury to come from a background in business rather than law. This shift emphasized a growing recognition of the role that commerce and industry played in shaping the nations economy during an era of rapid industrial growth.

Cortelyou was integral in modernizing the federal government’s approach to communication and public relations, particularly through his work with the press. He understood the power of media in shaping public perception and worked to establish a more formal relationship between the government and the press. The image, taken by the Bain News Service, offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in American history when leaders like Cortelyou were redefining the boundaries of government and industry in an increasingly complex society.