Frederick René Coudert.
The young man who wishes to succeed in the profession of law would do well to study the life of the lawyer, Frederick René Coudert, whose every act has been marked by fairness and courtesy. He was born of French parentage in the city of New York in 1832, receiving his early education at his father’s school in that city. At the age of fourteen he entered Columbia college, graduating with highest honors in 1850, his address on that occasion calling forth much comment from the press. During the next few years he busied himself with newspaper work, teaching and translations, besides studying law; and at the age of twenty-one was admitted to the New York bar. His brothers, Lewis and Charles Coudert, Jr., joining him in the practice of law, they formed the firm of Coudert Brothers, one of the oldest and largest law firms of New York city, and of which Frederick R. Coudert is the recognized head. He has achieved quite a reputation as a speaker and lecturer; and among his most notable addresses might be mentioned one at the centennial celebration of Columbia college, 1887; an eloquent speech in favor of the Democratic union during the campaign of Tilden in 1879, and his public addresses on the arrival of Bartholdi’s statue of liberty and the statues of Lafayette and Bolivar. He has been quite active in the political work of the democratic party, but avoiding, rather than asking, public functions, several times having declined nominations which signified election to the bench of the Supreme Court. Mr. Coudert played a prominent part in the election of President Cleveland in 1884. Mr. Coudert’s abilities have been of great service in other fields. He was the first president of the United States Catholic Historical Society, holding the office several terms; for years president of the Columbia college alumni association; for years government director of the Union Pacific railroad; for a long time trustee of Columbia and Barnard colleges and of Seton Hall College, New Jersey, besides being the director in numerous social and charitable organizations. In 1880 Seton college awarded him the degree of LL.D., which degree was also given by Fordham college in 1884, and, in 1887, he received from Columbia college the degree of J. U. D. As a mark of recognition the French government presented him with the Cross of the Legion of Honor, which decoration he has also received from the governments of Italy and Bolivia.