Oscar S. Straus' autobiography, Under Four Administrations: From Cleveland to Taft, originally published in 1922, was dedicated to his "grandchildren and their contemporaries of every race and creed." Straus was a man of great vision who expressed at an early age that he did not want to follow his father and brothers in their chosen field, merchandising. He stated he was more idealistic. If public service could be a career, that is what he wanted to do. And he made it so.

Oscar Straus then dedicated his life to the betterment of humankind through public service. He...