Spencer Cosby

Spencer Cosby (October 2, 1867 – March 26, 1962) was a U.S. Army officer who served as military attaché of the U.S. Embassy in Paris, France and as Engineering Commissioner of the District of Columbia. and his wife Charlotte Malvina Spencer (March 10, 1841 – March 5, 1927). He had two younger brothers. His father served in the Union Navy during the American Civil War and retired as a rear admiral on April 10, 1902.

Cosby was appointed as a military cadet in the United States Military Academy in June 1887 and graduated first in his class four years later, as an officer in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He received an honorable discharge from the US Volunteers on December 31, 1898, at the rank of major. In March 1909, he was placed in charge of public buildings and grounds for the District of Columbia, with the temporary rank of colonel.

Cosby managed the design and construction of new White House executive offices and the Oval Office. In 1912, he supervised the planting of Japanese cherry trees at the United States Capitol. On August 7, 1913, he was assigned duty as the military attaché at the Embassy of the United States in Paris, France. Cosby was made an officer of the Legion of Honour by France.

After the war, Cosby served as district engineer in Galveston, Texas from January 1919 to May 1920. Reduced in rank back to lieutenant colonel on October 6, 1919, his permanent rank was increased to colonel on February 16, 1920. He served as Division Engineer, Southeastern Division in Savannah, Georgia from May 1920 to August 1922 and Division Engineer, Lakes Division in Cleveland, Ohio from September 1922 to June 1928.

Cosby died at his home in Washington, D.C., on March 26, 1962, at age 94. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.