Jane Weinberger
Encyclopedia
Jane Weinberger was an American
author
, publisher and wife of Caspar Weinberger
, the 15th United States Secretary of Defense
. She authored over a dozen books during her career, many written for children and young adults.
and the Somerville Hospital School of Nursing in Somerville, Massachusetts
.
Dalton, who became a nursing instructor
following her completion of school, signed with the United States government to help in times of national emergency. She was called to duty at the beginning of World War II
and became a U.S. Army nurse. She met her future husband, a U.S. Army second lieutenant
Caspar Weinberger
, while the two were on the same troop transport ship to Australia
during the summer of 1942. She actually outranked Weinberger by a few weeks at the time.
. The moved to San Francisco, Casper Weinberger's hometown, after the war.
. However, it was Jane Weinberger who first persuaded her husband to run for political office and worked as his first campaign manager
. He was elected to the California State Assembly
in 1952, where he represented a San Francisco area constituency for the next six years. She remained actively engaged in his political campaign
s.
Caspar Weinberger's career continued to rise during the Nixon and Reagan administration
s. Jane Weinberger moved to Washington D.C. at the start of the Nixon presidency, when her husband was appointed as head of the Federal Trade Commission
. He later became the director of the Office of Management and Budget under Nixon, and as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare
under both Nixon and President Gerald Ford
. Caspar Weinberger later became the Secretary of Defense under Ronald Reagan for most of his two terms in office. He resigned as Defense Secretary in 1987 when Jane was diagnosed with several serious medical conditions, including cancer. The cancer later went into remission.
in Bar Harbor, Maine
, for the summer. Weinberger was a key supporter of the program.
Weinberger authored a children's book entitled Vim, about a lab mouse, in order to raise money for the Future Scientists Fund. Weinberger donated all proceeds from the sales of Vim to the FSF. She collaborated with her husband on another children's book, Kiltie, about the Weinbergers' family dog, Kiltie. Jane wrote the story, while Casper took the photographs which appear in the book. Casper also helped to pack, sell and deliver some of his wife's books during the Reagan years.
Jane Weinberger acknowledged her husband's contributions in the author's notes for a 1986 book about charitable
fundraising
entitled, Please Buy My Violets.
Jane Weinberger founded the publishing company Windswept House Publishers in 1984. The publishing house was named for the Weinberger family home located in Somesville, Maine
on Mount Desert Island
. Weinberger ran the company from her home. Windswept House initially published children's books written by Weinberger, but she expanded its catalogue to include children's publications written by other authors, as well as books for adults. The company has published over 120 books, many aimed at young people, since its creation.
In 1991, Weinberger released As Ever: A Selection of Letters from the Voluminous Correspondence of Jane Weinberger, 1970-1990, a compilation
of letters which she had written to her friends and family. The letters offered an insight into Weinberger's views of top political figures. She called Nancy Reagan
"irritable and snappish", referred to former Soviet Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Dobrynin
as "a wily old bastard but amusing" and stated that former Vice President Spiro Agnew
"makes me sick".
Weinberger was also involved in a number of other charitable causes. She served as the chairwoman of the Folger Shakespeare Library
in Washington D.C. from 1981 until 1986. Weinberger held seats on the boards of directors of both Amherst College
and the Jackson Laboratory
in Bar Harbor, Maine. Weinberger and her husband co-founded a scholarship
for Mount Desert Island High School students pursuing careers in vocational programs.
She authored her last book, Experience the Journey, in 2003.
Her husband, Caspar Weinberger, died in 2006 at the age of 88.
, on July 12, 2009, at the age of 91. Her ashes
were scattered in the gardens of her home in Somesville, Maine
.
She was survived by her two children, daughter Arlin Weinberger, and son Caspar Weinberger Jr.
; three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a sister.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, publisher and wife of Caspar Weinberger
Caspar Weinberger
Caspar Willard "Cap" Weinberger , was an American politician, vice president and general counsel of Bechtel Corporation, and Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Reagan from January 21, 1981, until November 23, 1987, making him the third longest-serving defense secretary to date, after...
, the 15th United States Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
. She authored over a dozen books during her career, many written for children and young adults.
Early life
Born as Rebecca Jane Dalton on March 29, 1918, in Milford, Maine, she attended the University of MaineUniversity of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
and the Somerville Hospital School of Nursing in Somerville, Massachusetts
Somerville, Massachusetts
Somerville is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located just north of Boston. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 75,754 and was the most densely populated municipality in New England. It is also the 17th most densely populated incorporated place in...
.
Dalton, who became a nursing instructor
Nurse educator
A nurse educator is a nurse who teaches and prepares licensed practical nurses and registered nurses for entry into practice positions. They can also teach in various patient care settings to provide continuing education to licensed nursing staff...
following her completion of school, signed with the United States government to help in times of national emergency. She was called to duty at the beginning of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and became a U.S. Army nurse. She met her future husband, a U.S. Army second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
Caspar Weinberger
Caspar Weinberger
Caspar Willard "Cap" Weinberger , was an American politician, vice president and general counsel of Bechtel Corporation, and Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Reagan from January 21, 1981, until November 23, 1987, making him the third longest-serving defense secretary to date, after...
, while the two were on the same troop transport ship to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
during the summer of 1942. She actually outranked Weinberger by a few weeks at the time.
Marriage
The couple married just three weeks later, once the ship disembarked in Australia. The wedding took place in Sydney, Australia, in 1942. However, they did not live together until the end of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The moved to San Francisco, Casper Weinberger's hometown, after the war.
Career
Caspar Weinberger initially worked for a San Francisco law firmLaw firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
. However, it was Jane Weinberger who first persuaded her husband to run for political office and worked as his first campaign manager
Campaign manager
A campaign manager is a paid or volunteer individual, whose role is to coordinate the campaign's operations such as fundraising, advertising, polling, getting out the vote , and other activities supporting the effort, directly.Apart from the candidate, they are often a campaign's most visible leader...
. He was elected to the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
in 1952, where he represented a San Francisco area constituency for the next six years. She remained actively engaged in his political campaign
Political campaign
A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, wherein representatives are chosen or referendums are decided...
s.
Caspar Weinberger's career continued to rise during the Nixon and Reagan administration
Reagan Administration
The United States presidency of Ronald Reagan, also known as the Reagan administration, was a Republican administration headed by Ronald Reagan from January 20, 1981, to January 20, 1989....
s. Jane Weinberger moved to Washington D.C. at the start of the Nixon presidency, when her husband was appointed as head of the Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
. He later became the director of the Office of Management and Budget under Nixon, and as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare
United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services is the head of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, concerned with health matters. The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet...
under both Nixon and President Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
. Caspar Weinberger later became the Secretary of Defense under Ronald Reagan for most of his two terms in office. He resigned as Defense Secretary in 1987 when Jane was diagnosed with several serious medical conditions, including cancer. The cancer later went into remission.
Author
Jane Weinberger first began writing and publishing during Reagan's first term, while her husband, Caspar Weinberger, was Defense Secretary. Her foray into publishing began as the result of one of the Reagan administration's budget cuts. President Reagan had eliminated funding for the Future Scientists Fund, which would team students with scientists at the Jackson LaboratoryJackson Laboratory
The Jackson Laboratory was founded in Bar Harbor, Maine in 1929 by former University of Maine and University of Michigan president C. C. Little under the name Roscoe B...
in Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor is a town on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County, Maine, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population is 5,235. Bar Harbor is a famous summer colony in the Down East region of Maine. It is home to the College of the Atlantic, Jackson Laboratory and Mount Desert Island...
, for the summer. Weinberger was a key supporter of the program.
Weinberger authored a children's book entitled Vim, about a lab mouse, in order to raise money for the Future Scientists Fund. Weinberger donated all proceeds from the sales of Vim to the FSF. She collaborated with her husband on another children's book, Kiltie, about the Weinbergers' family dog, Kiltie. Jane wrote the story, while Casper took the photographs which appear in the book. Casper also helped to pack, sell and deliver some of his wife's books during the Reagan years.
Jane Weinberger acknowledged her husband's contributions in the author's notes for a 1986 book about charitable
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
fundraising
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
entitled, Please Buy My Violets.
Jane Weinberger founded the publishing company Windswept House Publishers in 1984. The publishing house was named for the Weinberger family home located in Somesville, Maine
Somesville, Maine
Somesville, Maine is the predominant village of the town of Mount Desert, Maine. It is located on the north end of Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island . The village was established by Abraham Somes who was the first settler on the island . It attracted many people because of its mills and quarries...
on Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island , in Hancock County, Maine, is the largest island off the coast of Maine. With an area of it is the 6th largest island in the contiguous United States. Though it is often claimed to be the third largest island on the eastern seaboard of the United States, it is actually second...
. Weinberger ran the company from her home. Windswept House initially published children's books written by Weinberger, but she expanded its catalogue to include children's publications written by other authors, as well as books for adults. The company has published over 120 books, many aimed at young people, since its creation.
In 1991, Weinberger released As Ever: A Selection of Letters from the Voluminous Correspondence of Jane Weinberger, 1970-1990, a compilation
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
of letters which she had written to her friends and family. The letters offered an insight into Weinberger's views of top political figures. She called Nancy Reagan
Nancy Reagan
Nancy Davis Reagan is the widow of former United States President Ronald Reagan and was First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989....
"irritable and snappish", referred to former Soviet Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Dobrynin
Anatoly Dobrynin
Anatoly Fyodorovich Dobrynin was a Russian statesman and a former Soviet diplomat and politician. He was Soviet Ambassador to the United States, serving from 1962 to 1986 and most notably during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was appointed by Nikita Khrushchev....
as "a wily old bastard but amusing" and stated that former Vice President Spiro Agnew
Spiro Agnew
Spiro Theodore Agnew was the 39th Vice President of the United States , serving under President Richard Nixon, and the 55th Governor of Maryland...
"makes me sick".
Weinberger was also involved in a number of other charitable causes. She served as the chairwoman of the Folger Shakespeare Library
Folger Shakespeare Library
The Folger Shakespeare Library is an independent research library on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in the United States. It has the world's largest collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare, and is a primary repository for rare materials from the early modern period...
in Washington D.C. from 1981 until 1986. Weinberger held seats on the boards of directors of both Amherst College
Amherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Amherst is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution and enrolled 1,744 students in the fall of 2009...
and the Jackson Laboratory
Jackson Laboratory
The Jackson Laboratory was founded in Bar Harbor, Maine in 1929 by former University of Maine and University of Michigan president C. C. Little under the name Roscoe B...
in Bar Harbor, Maine. Weinberger and her husband co-founded a scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
for Mount Desert Island High School students pursuing careers in vocational programs.
She authored her last book, Experience the Journey, in 2003.
Her husband, Caspar Weinberger, died in 2006 at the age of 88.
Later life
Jane Weinberger had been in poor health before suffering a stroke in July 2009. She died at a nursing care facility in Bar Harbor, MaineBar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor is a town on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County, Maine, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population is 5,235. Bar Harbor is a famous summer colony in the Down East region of Maine. It is home to the College of the Atlantic, Jackson Laboratory and Mount Desert Island...
, on July 12, 2009, at the age of 91. Her ashes
Cremation
Cremation is the process of reducing bodies to basic chemical compounds such as gasses and bone fragments. This is accomplished through high-temperature burning, vaporization and oxidation....
were scattered in the gardens of her home in Somesville, Maine
Somesville, Maine
Somesville, Maine is the predominant village of the town of Mount Desert, Maine. It is located on the north end of Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island . The village was established by Abraham Somes who was the first settler on the island . It attracted many people because of its mills and quarries...
.
She was survived by her two children, daughter Arlin Weinberger, and son Caspar Weinberger Jr.
Caspar Weinberger Jr.
Caspar Willard Weinberger, Jr. , is the son of U.S. Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and Jane Weinberger. Born in San Francisco, he studied Modern British History at Harvard College, the same school where his father had been editor of the Harvard Crimson. He earned a B.A...
; three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a sister.