Arthur Yager

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]

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]

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]

Yager married Estell Lewis, with whom he had four children.^[1] He died in Pewee Valley, Kentucky, on December 24, 1941.^[3]