Portrait of a 1907 American Business Icon

This glass negative features L.P. Morton, captured by the Bain News Service in 1907. Morton played a significant role in American business and politics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notably, he served as the U.S. Secretary of the Navy under President William Howard Taft from 1909 to 1911, where he oversaw significant advancements in the U.S. Navy and its modernization efforts.

The photograph reflects an era of transformation in America, as industry and governance increasingly intertwined. Morton’s contributions to naval policy and military procurement were pivotal at a time when the United States was expanding its global presence. The Bain News Service, known for its influential documentation of contemporary figures and events, provides a glimpse into the life of a man whose decisions shaped naval strategy and underscored the importance of a robust maritime force in American diplomacy.