Lou Henry Hoover
Encyclopedia
Lou Henry Hoover was the wife of President of the United States Herbert Hoover
and First Lady of the United States
, 1929-1933. Mrs. Hoover was president of the Girl Scouts of the USA
for two terms, 1922-1925 and 1935-1937.
to Charles Delano Henry, a banker, and Florence Ida Weed, his wife. Lou grew up something of a tomboy in Waterloo, Whittier, California
and Monterey, California
. Charles Henry took his daughter on camping trips in the hills—her greatest pleasures in her early teens. Lou became a fine horsewoman; she hunted, and preserved specimens with the skill of a taxidermist; she developed an enthusiasm for rocks, minerals, and mining. She attended San Jose Normal School and in 1894 enrolled at Stanford University
as the school's only female geology
major. That year she met Herbert Hoover, then a senior.
By the time he graduated the following June, they had reached an understanding but put off wedding plans while she continued her education and he pursued his engineering career in Australia
. From there in 1898, the year she graduated from Stanford, Hoover cabled a marriage proposal, which she promptly accepted by return wire. Although raised an Episcopalian, Miss Henry decided to become a Quaker. But because there was no Quaker Meeting in Monterey, they were married in a civil ceremony performed by Father Ramon Mestres, a Roman Catholic priest of the San Carlos Borromeo Mission.
Both Hoover and Lou Henry were aged 24 when they married on February 10, 1899, at the home of the bride's parents in Monterey, California. The next day they sailed from San Francisco for Shanghai
, China
where they spent four days in the Astor House Hotel. The newlyweds soon settled into their first home, a large house in Tianjin
. Hoover's job required extensive travel throughout remote, primitive and dangerous areas, which they did together. Mrs. Hoover was present with her husband during the Boxer Rebellion
. Possessed of a natural ear for languages, she became quite proficient in Chinese. In the White House, at times, the Hoovers would converse in Chinese to foil eavesdroppers. To date, she is the only First Lady to speak an Asian language.
Mrs. Hoover also distinguished herself by becoming the first First Lady to broadcast
on a regular basis. While she did not have her own radio
program, she was a guest speaker on a number of occasions from 1929 through 1933, often advocating for volunteerism, or discussing the work of the Girl Scouts. Radio critics praised her for having an excellent radio voice and for speaking with confidence (see for example Larry Wolters, "First Lady to Give First Talk At White House," Chicago Tribune, 22 March 1931, p. G9).
The Hoovers had two sons:
Mrs. Hoover was also well versed in Latin
; she collaborated with her husband in translating Agricola's
De Re Metallica
, a 16th century encyclopedia of mining and metallurgy
. The Hoover translation was published in 1912, and is still in print as the standard English translation.
During World War I
, she assisted her husband in providing relief for Belgian refugees. For her work she was decorated in 1919 by King Albert I of Belgium
. While Hoover served in the cabinet of Presidents Harding and Coolidge, she was active as national president of the Girl Scouts of the USA
. Camp Lou Henry Hoover in Middleville, New Jersey, is named for her and run by the Heart of New Jersey Council of the Girl Scouts. The Lou Henry and Herbert Hoover House
in Palo Alto's foothills is now the official residence of the President of Stanford University. It is located near the campus's Hoover Tower
, home of the Hoover Institution
, and is designated a National Historic Landmark
. Lou Henry Hoover Elementary School
in Whittier was built in 1938 and was named in her honor. In 2005, Lou Henry Elementary School was opened in her honor in Waterloo
. One of the brick dorms known now as "The Classics" at San Jose State University is named "Hoover Hall" in her honor. She funded the construction of the first Girl Scout house in Palo Alto, California. It is called Lou Henry Hoover Girl Scout House. It is the oldest Girl Scout House in continuous use in the country.
As First Lady, she discontinued the New Year's Day reception, the annual open house observance begun by Abigail Adams
in 1801. She played a critical role in designing and overseeing construction of the presidential retreat at Rapidan Camp
in Virginia.
Mrs. Hoover died of a heart attack in New York City on January 7, 1944. She was buried in Palo Alto, California
, and later reinterred at West Branch, Iowa
, next to the president, following his death in 1964.
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
and First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States is the title of the hostess of the White House. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the president of the United States, the title is most often applied to the wife of a sitting president. The current first lady is Michelle Obama.-Current:The...
, 1929-1933. Mrs. Hoover was president of the Girl Scouts of the USA
Girl Scouts of the USA
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
for two terms, 1922-1925 and 1935-1937.
Life
Lou Henry was born in Waterloo, IowaWaterloo, Iowa
Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the population decreased by 0.5% to 68,406. Waterloo is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the more populous of the two...
to Charles Delano Henry, a banker, and Florence Ida Weed, his wife. Lou grew up something of a tomboy in Waterloo, Whittier, California
Whittier, California
Whittier is a city in Los Angeles County, California about southeast of Los Angeles. The city had a population of 85,331 at the 2010 census, up from 83,680 as of the 2000 census, and encompasses 14.7 square miles . Like nearby Montebello, the city constitutes part of the Gateway Cities...
and Monterey, California
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
. Charles Henry took his daughter on camping trips in the hills—her greatest pleasures in her early teens. Lou became a fine horsewoman; she hunted, and preserved specimens with the skill of a taxidermist; she developed an enthusiasm for rocks, minerals, and mining. She attended San Jose Normal School and in 1894 enrolled at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
as the school's only female geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
major. That year she met Herbert Hoover, then a senior.
By the time he graduated the following June, they had reached an understanding but put off wedding plans while she continued her education and he pursued his engineering career in 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...
. From there in 1898, the year she graduated from Stanford, Hoover cabled a marriage proposal, which she promptly accepted by return wire. Although raised an Episcopalian, Miss Henry decided to become a Quaker. But because there was no Quaker Meeting in Monterey, they were married in a civil ceremony performed by Father Ramon Mestres, a Roman Catholic priest of the San Carlos Borromeo Mission.
Both Hoover and Lou Henry were aged 24 when they married on February 10, 1899, at the home of the bride's parents in Monterey, California. The next day they sailed from San Francisco for Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
where they spent four days in the Astor House Hotel. The newlyweds soon settled into their first home, a large house in Tianjin
Tianjin
' is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People's Republic of China. It is governed as a direct-controlled municipality, one of four such designations, and is, thus, under direct administration of the central government...
. Hoover's job required extensive travel throughout remote, primitive and dangerous areas, which they did together. Mrs. Hoover was present with her husband during the Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
. Possessed of a natural ear for languages, she became quite proficient in Chinese. In the White House, at times, the Hoovers would converse in Chinese to foil eavesdroppers. To date, she is the only First Lady to speak an Asian language.
Mrs. Hoover also distinguished herself by becoming the first First Lady to broadcast
Broadcast
Broadcast or Broadcasting may refer to:* Broadcasting, the transmission of audio and video signals* Broadcast, an individual television program or radio program* Broadcast , an English electronic music band...
on a regular basis. While she did not have her own radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
program, she was a guest speaker on a number of occasions from 1929 through 1933, often advocating for volunteerism, or discussing the work of the Girl Scouts. Radio critics praised her for having an excellent radio voice and for speaking with confidence (see for example Larry Wolters, "First Lady to Give First Talk At White House," Chicago Tribune, 22 March 1931, p. G9).
The Hoovers had two sons:
- Herbert Charles Hoover, Jr.Herbert Hoover, Jr.Herbert Charles Hoover was the son of President of the United States Herbert Hoover; a successful engineer and businessman; a special envoy of the American government; and served as United States Under Secretary of State from 1954 to 1957.-Early years, 1903—1928:Herbert Hoover, Jr...
(1903–1969) - engineer, diplomat. Born in London, he by age two had been around the world twice with his globe-trotting parents. He graduated from Stanford UniversityStanford UniversityThe Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 1925 and began working as an aircraft engineer. He taught briefly, 1928–1929, at the Harvard Business SchoolHarvard Business SchoolHarvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
. Eventually he turned to geophysical engineering, founded the United Geophysical Company in 1935 and developing new electronic instruments to discover oil. During 1953-1954 he mediated the oil dispute between Britain and IranIranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
that provided for the latter to nationalize its petroleum. He was appointed under-secretary of state for Middle Eastern affairs 1954-1957 by President Eisenhower. He died in Pasadena, CA. - Allan Henry Hoover (1907–1993) - mining engineer. Born in London, he graduated in economics from Stanford UniversityStanford UniversityThe Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 1929 and earned a master's degree from the Harvard Business SchoolHarvard Business SchoolHarvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
in 1931. He went into banking and operated a ranch in California for a time, but eventually he, too, became a mining engineer. A private man, he shunned publicity throughout his career. He died in Portola Valley, CaliforniaPortola Valley, CaliforniaPortola Valley is an incorporated town in San Mateo County, California, United States. The population was 4,353 at the 2010 census. It was named for Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola, who led the first party of Europeans to explore the San Francisco Peninsula, in 1769.Portola Valley is one of the...
.
Mrs. Hoover was also well versed in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
; she collaborated with her husband in translating Agricola's
Georg Agricola
Georgius Agricola was a German scholar and scientist. Known as "the father of mineralogy", he was born at Glauchau in Saxony. His real name was Georg Pawer; Agricola is the Latinised version of his name, Pawer meaning "farmer"...
De Re Metallica
De re metallica
De re metallica is a book cataloguing the state of the art of mining, refining, and smelting metals, published in 1556. The author was Georg Bauer, whose pen name was the Latinized Georgius Agricola...
, a 16th century encyclopedia of mining and metallurgy
Metallurgy
Metallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. It is also the technology of metals: the way in which science is applied to their practical use...
. The Hoover translation was published in 1912, and is still in print as the standard English translation.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, she assisted her husband in providing relief for Belgian refugees. For her work she was decorated in 1919 by King Albert I of Belgium
Albert I of Belgium
Albert I reigned as King of the Belgians from 1909 until 1934.-Early life:Born Albert Léopold Clément Marie Meinrad in Brussels, he was the fifth child and second son of Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders, and his wife, Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen...
. While Hoover served in the cabinet of Presidents Harding and Coolidge, she was active as national president of the Girl Scouts of the USA
Girl Scouts of the USA
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
. Camp Lou Henry Hoover in Middleville, New Jersey, is named for her and run by the Heart of New Jersey Council of the Girl Scouts. The Lou Henry and Herbert Hoover House
Lou Henry and Herbert Hoover House
The Lou Henry and Herbert Hoover House, located on the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, USA, is the former house of Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States, and his wife Lou Henry Hoover, who designed it...
in Palo Alto's foothills is now the official residence of the President of Stanford University. It is located near the campus's Hoover Tower
Hoover Tower
Hoover Tower is a structure on the campus of Stanford University in Stanford, California. The tower is part of the Hoover Institution, a research center founded by then-future U.S. president Herbert Hoover. Hoover Tower, inspired by the cathedral tower at Salamanca, was finished in 1941, the year...
, home of the Hoover Institution
Hoover Institution
The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace is a public policy think tank and library founded in 1919 by then future U.S. president, Herbert Hoover, an early alumnus of Stanford....
, and is designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. Lou Henry Hoover Elementary School
Lou Henry Hoover Elementary School
Lou Henry Hoover Elementary School is an elementary school in Whittier, California founded in 1938. Hoover Elementary School is located in uptown Whittier and is one of the eleven schools in the Whittier City School District....
in Whittier was built in 1938 and was named in her honor. In 2005, Lou Henry Elementary School was opened in her honor in Waterloo
Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the population decreased by 0.5% to 68,406. Waterloo is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the more populous of the two...
. One of the brick dorms known now as "The Classics" at San Jose State University is named "Hoover Hall" in her honor. She funded the construction of the first Girl Scout house in Palo Alto, California. It is called Lou Henry Hoover Girl Scout House. It is the oldest Girl Scout House in continuous use in the country.
As First Lady, she discontinued the New Year's Day reception, the annual open house observance begun by Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams, who was the second President of the United States, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth...
in 1801. She played a critical role in designing and overseeing construction of the presidential retreat at Rapidan Camp
Rapidan Camp
Rapidan Camp in Shenandoah National Park in Madison County, Virginia, was built by U.S. President Herbert Hoover and his wife Lou Henry Hoover, and served as their rustic retreat throughout Hoover's administration from 1929 to 1933...
in Virginia.
Mrs. Hoover died of a heart attack in New York City on January 7, 1944. She was buried in Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto is a California charter city located in the northwest corner of Santa Clara County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, United States. The city shares its borders with East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Portola Valley, and Menlo Park. It is...
, and later reinterred at West Branch, Iowa
West Branch, Iowa
West Branch is a city in Cedar and Johnson counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 2,342 as of July 2009, a 7% growth since the 2000 census...
, next to the president, following his death in 1964.
See also
- Battle of TientsinBattle of TientsinThe Battle of Tientsin, or the Relief of Tientsin, occurred on July 13–14, 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion in Northern China. A multinational military force, representing the Eight-Nation Alliance, came to the rescue of a besieged population of foreign nationals within the city of Tientsin by...
- List of guests and residents of the Astor House Hotel (Shanghai)
- Lou Henry and Herbert Hoover HouseLou Henry and Herbert Hoover HouseThe Lou Henry and Herbert Hoover House, located on the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, USA, is the former house of Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States, and his wife Lou Henry Hoover, who designed it...
- Lou Henry Hoover Elementary SchoolLou Henry Hoover Elementary SchoolLou Henry Hoover Elementary School is an elementary school in Whittier, California founded in 1938. Hoover Elementary School is located in uptown Whittier and is one of the eleven schools in the Whittier City School District....
External links
- Biography of Lou Henry Hoover
- The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum
- Biographical sketch of Lou Henry Hoover Hosted by the National Archives and Records AdministrationNational Archives and Records AdministrationThe National Archives and Records Administration is an independent agency of the United States government charged with preserving and documenting government and historical records and with increasing public access to those documents, which comprise the National Archives...
- First Lady Biography: Lou Hoover Hosted by the National First Ladies' Library
- Anne Beiser Allen and Jon L. Wakelyn; An Independent Woman: The Life of Lou Henry Hoover Greenwood Press, 2000
- Biography of William Henry, great-grandfather of Lou Henry Hoover
- Biography of Abigail Hunt, great-grandmother of Lou Henry Hoover
- Lou Hoover at Findagrave