Harry Micajah Daugherty served as U.S. attorney general from 1921 to 1924 under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge. An Ohio lawyer and Republican Party operative, Daugherty became attorney general after managing Harding's 1920 presidential campaign. He left office in disgrace, however, accused of political graft and corruption.

Daugherty was born on January 26, 1860, in Washington Court House, Ohio. He earned a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1881 and was admitted to the Ohio bar. After establishing a law practice in his hometown, Daugherty became involved in local politics. He soon earned a reputation as an attorney who knew how to use political connections to influence the outcome of events. Daugherty served as township clerk before being elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1890. He served two terms but left in 1894 to reestablish his law practice in Columbus, Ohio. Although he failed to be elected either as Ohio...