Daugherty, Harry Micajah

Daugherty, Harry Micajah (dô`ərtē), 1860–1941, American politician, b. Fayette co., Ohio. He became a successful corporation lawyer in Columbus, Ohio, and served (1890–94) in the state legislature. A leader of the Republican party in his state, he directed Warren G. Harding's successful campaign for the presidential nomination in 1920. Daugherty, rewarded (1921) by Harding with the office of U.S. Attorney General, became the President's confidant and influenced his appointments. He was charged with being implicated in the Teapot Dome affair, and other scandals of the Harding administration. After President Calvin Coolidge forced (1924) his resignation, Daugherty was prosecuted (1927) for an alleged conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, but the case was dismissed after two juries failed to agree. He wrote, with Thomas Dixon, The Inside Story of the Harding Tragedy (1932).