Born: 1832
Died: 1892
Caroline Harrison was a multi-talented woman who made the most of her role as First Lady. Keenly interested in history, she became a founder and the first President-General of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She agreed to head a fund drive for Johns Hopkins Medical School on condition that the School admit women. These pursuits were balanced by a near dogged domesticity. A grandmother when she entered the White House, "Carrie" invited her extended family to live there too. Finding the mansion in dire need of repair, she managed its first overhaul in 70 years, adding electricity. She sewed, played the piano, raised orchids and painted. A gifted watercolorist, she designed her own White House china and collected the patterns of prior Presidents.
Carrie's varied interests were encouraged by her father, a minister and Ohio college professor who made sure his three only daughters got a fine education. Carrie's wit and exuberance captivated the reserved Benjamin Harrison, a freshman at her father's school. They wed in 1853 and had two children. During Ben's rise in Indianapolis law and politics, Carrie taught Sunday school and led the Women's Club. She continued her volunteer work in Washington when Ben was a Senator and then President, but her health declined. Two weeks before Ben lost his rematch against Grover Cleveland, Carried died of tuberculosis.
Twenty-Third President
Benjamin Harrison
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment