John Milton Hay (October 8, 1838–July 1, 1905) was an American statesman and official. His job in the government lasted almost half a century. He started as a private secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln. Hay's highest office was United States Secretary of State under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. Hay was also an author and biographer. He wrote poetry and other literature throughout much of his life.

He was born in Salem, Indiana. He and his family moved to Warsaw, Illinois when he was young. His family was very abolitionist. He went to Brown University. Hay graduated in 1858.