Anders Zorn

Daniel Scott Lamont (February 9, 1851 - July 23, 1905) was the United States Secretary of War under Grover Cleveland's second term. He was employed as a clerk in the Democratic State Central Committee in 1872 and served as the head of the New York State Department from 1875 to 1882.

In 1883, Lamont was appointed by his mentor Daniel Manning to then-New York Governor Grover Cleveland's staff as a political adviser. He became private and military secretary with the honorary rank of colonel in the governor's staff that same year and continued in his service after Cleveland became president in 1885. Lamont also held a position with William C. Whitney in his business ventures in 1889.

From March 5, 1893, to March 5, 1897, Lamont served as the United States Secretary of War in President Cleveland's cabinet. Throughout his tenure, he advocated for the adoption of an infantry regiment with three battalions as part of a general modernisation and strengthening of the army. Additionally, Lamont recommended the construction of a central archive building to house army records and urged Congress to approve the marking of important battlefields.

It was through Lamont that Zorn received the commission to portray Grover Cleveland (see etching no. Asplund 144 Cleveland).