Author: Edward Mandell House

Edward Mandell House (1858–1938), often referred to as Colonel House, although he held no military rank, was an influential American diplomat, politician, and presidential advisor. Best known for his role as a close confidant to President Woodrow Wilson, House played a significant part in international diplomacy during World War I. In the realm of literature, House is remembered for his 1912 political novel “Philip Dru: Administrator, ” in which he outlines his vision of progressive reform, including ideas that foreshadowed the New Deal. The book, written under the pseudonym “Anonymous”, is an allegory expressing House”s ideals about leadership and governance, notably advocating for a benevolent dictator who would reform the political system to address social and economic inequities. House”s literary style in “Philip Dru” combines elements of political theory with an engaging narrative, reflecting his deep interest in politics and policy, and the book has been studied for its insights into House”s political ideology and its possible influence on President Wilson”s policies. House”s legacy as a political theorist and literary writer endures in discussions about early 20th-century American political thought and the role of advisor-auteurs in shaping national policy.