House, Edward Mandell (1858-1938)

US politician and diplomat. He was instrumental in obtaining the presidential nomination for Woodrow Wilson in 1912 and later served as Wilson's closest adviser. During World War I, House served as US liaison with the UK and was an important behind-the-scenes participant in the 1919 Versailles Peace Conference.

House was born in Houston, Texas, attended Cornell University, and, after working for many years on his family's holdings, became active in state Democratic politics. As personal adviser to a succession of Texas governors 1892-1904, he was awarded the honorary title of colonel.