By Thomas F. Schwartz One of Herbert Hoover’s last books had nothing to do with politics or global issues. Rather it was a meditation on fishing. Fishing for Fun and to Wash Your Soul (1963) contains a chapter entitled “Fishing Presidents and Candidates” that offers both a wonderful glimpse into Hoover’s understated humor and his … Continue reading Fishing Presidents and Candidates
The current temporary exhibit at the Hoover Library, ‘Viva Hoover!’ showcases more than twenty gifts given to the Hoovers as they made their goodwill tour of Latin America in late 1928. Among the items exhibited are: photo albums, books, gold medals and medallions, silver trays and platters, ornately carved chests inlaid with tortoiseshell, ivory and … Continue reading Hoover’s Gifts from the South American Trip
by Spencer Howard During his lifetime, Herbert Hoover earned a Bachelors degree in geology from Stanford University and was awarded more than 80 honorary degrees from Universities around the world for his many humanitarian efforts. One distinction he never earned, however, was a high school diploma. As a child, Hoover attended the local school in … Continue reading Graduations that Never Happened — Herbert Hoover
A recent reference inquiry reminded me of one my earliest projects at the Hoover Library. A researcher wanted to know if any website still hosted the documentary history of the Hoover-Truman relationship. I’d been part of a team that scanned these documents for the web, but I hadn’t noticed that the links were dead. The … Continue reading Hoover and 20th Century Presidents: Harry Truman
By Thomas F. Schwartz, PhD Often overlooked in most biographies of Herbert Hoover is his affinity for children and their affection for him. His tireless advocacy of feeding and caring for children in times of war and famine abroad as well as his efforts to support the domestic welfare of children through legislation and organizations … Continue reading Too Young to Vote But Not to Endorse
The Hoovers tour down the west coast of South America took them to Valparaiso Chile on the battleship USS Maryland by December 11th. Then, rather than taking the eleven day trip around the southern edge of the continent to the east coast, they took the Transandine railroad from Chile to Buenos Aires. This reduced travel … Continue reading Trans-Andean Rail Trip
By Thomas F. Schwartz In response to receiving an inscribed copy of Herbert Hoover’s Fishing for Fun, Arthur Beeby-Thompson sent his friend a lengthy “thank you” on May 10, 1963, recalling many memorable fishing experiences in his world travels. “It was indeed a pleasant surprise to receive ‘Fishing for Fun’ with your friendly wishes. … Continue reading Oil and Water Part II
By Thomas F. Schwartz Arthur Beeby-Thompson, recognized only by a handful of people with knowledge of the oil industry, forged an early and lasting friendship with Herbert Hoover. Beeby-Thompson’s 1961 autobiography has a forward written by Hoover. Their friendship began in 1908 and continued until Hoover’s death in 1964. It was based both upon their … Continue reading Oil and Water Part I
By Thomas F. Schwartz COVID-19 symptoms—fever, chills, cough, night sweats, fatigue, and weight loss---bear a striking similarity to a disease that was prominent during the presidency of Herbert Hoover. Tuberculosis [TB] has afflicted people from earliest recorded history. It usually affects the lungs and was often referred to as consumption because of weight loss and … Continue reading A Diva’s Death: Tuberculosis during the Presidency of Herbert Hoover
Picking up a thread dropped months ago, I resume my series on Hoover’s interactions with American Presidents. Beginning with Franklin Roosevelt, connections get deep. In fact, there have been book-length explorations of Hoover’s ties to FDR, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower. Rather than recap them, I suggest that those who want to know the rest … Continue reading Hoover and 20th Century Presidents: Franklin Roosevelt
