Left to the Vagaries of History

August 13th is International Lefthanders Day, a day to celebrate the uniqueness of lefthanders.  First observed in 1976 by a small cadre of left-thinking individuals, International Lefthanders Day has grown over the years to become something of a social media phenomena.  This year’s version highlighted American Presidents who were left-handed.  Somehow Herbert Hoover is listed … Continue reading Left to the Vagaries of History

The Clouds of War: The Friendship of Louis Chevrillon and Herbert Hoover

Part 2 (Part 1: A Mother's Day Gift: the Friendship of Louis Chevrillon and Herbert Hoover) By Thomas F. Schwartz On December 15, 1938, Chevrillon wrote to Hoover presenting a grim future for France and Europe. Commending Hoover on his strong public statements against the German government’s oppression of Jews on what is now referred … Continue reading The Clouds of War: The Friendship of Louis Chevrillon and Herbert Hoover

A Boy Named Herbert Hoover

By Thomas F. Schwartz On March 30, 1932, a letter was sent to President Herbert Hoover from a young boy in Jackson, Tennessee along with a photograph.  Perhaps his first letter ever written to a President, the young man wrote: Mr. Herbert Hoover   This letter is going to be different from any other I … Continue reading A Boy Named Herbert Hoover

The Discovery of a Professional Tradition:  Herbert and Lou Hoover’s Translation of De Re Metallica

By Thomas F. Schwartz Often projects that seem simple at first, become more complicated and involved once begun.  Unanticipated problems emerge as greater comprehension of what is required only emerges by working through the project.  And so it was when the Hoovers decided to undertake an English translation of Georgius Agricola’s De Re Metallica, a … Continue reading The Discovery of a Professional Tradition:  Herbert and Lou Hoover’s Translation of De Re Metallica