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.