Caroline Harrison

Summary of Caroline Harrison - First Lady of America
Our summary and fast facts about Caroline Harrison provides an interesting and easy way to learn about the life of the First Lady of President Benjamin Harrison. Caroline Harrison was a charming and intelligent First Lady who was politically active and supported many causes and championed women's rights. Caroline made it her mission to refurbish the White House which had fallen into disrepair. She worked hard and was a popular hostess who supported her husband throughout his presidency. Caroline Harrison died of tuberculosis whist her husband was still in office and her daughter assumed the role of First Lady for her father's remaining term in office.

Facts about Caroline Harrison - First Lady "Carrie"
Caroline Harrison undertook the role of First Lady to Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the United States who served in office from March 4, 1889 to March 4, 1893.  What was the life of Caroline Harrison like? The Facts about Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison  covers important information, dates and interesting facts about her birth, her family with a biography and the accomplishments of Caroline Harrison as First Lady.

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Facts about Caroline Harrison: Fact Sheet of Caroline Harrison
Facts and Info: This fast fact sheet provides important information about Caroline Harrison, First Lady of the United States of America.

Caroline Harrison Fact Sheet - The First Lady of President Benjamin Harrison

Relationship to President Benjamin Harrison: Wife

Date entered White House as First Lady: March 4, 1889

Term of Presidency: 1889-1893

When and where was Caroline Harrison born?  

She was born on October 1, 1832 in Oxford, Ohio and named Caroline Lavinia Scott

What was the name of her father and mother?

The name of her parents: John Witherspoon Scott & Mary Potts Neal Scott. She was educated at Oxford Female Institute in Oxford, Ohio

What was her relationship to President Benjamin Harrison?

She was his wife.

When did she marry?

October 20, 1853 to Benjamin Harrison

What are the names of her children?

The names of her children were Benjamin (1854 – 1936) and Mary Scott (1858 – 1930)

When and where did Caroline Harrison die?

Caroline Harrison died on October 25, 1892 in Washington, D.C. Caroline died while her husband was President. Their daughter, Mary Harrison McKee, served as First Lady during the final months of her father’s term.

Caroline Harrison Fact Sheet - The First Lady of President Benjamin Harrison

Picture of Caroline Harrison

Picture of Caroline Harrison

Facts about Caroline Harrison: Fast Overview of Events in the White House
Facts and Info: Caroline Harrison assumed the position of First Lady to President Benjamin Harrison. She witnessed the important events of his presidency that included
establishing closer ties between the US and Latin America and his efforts at home to boost the economy.

Personality and Character: Caroline Harrison Quotes
Facts and Info: An insight into the personal views, character and personality of this First Lady may be obtained from the following Caroline Harrison quotes
. The first Caroline Harrison quote relates to the Daughters of the American Revolution:

"Since this Society has been organized, and so much thought and reading directed to the early struggle of this country, it has been made plain that much of its success was due to the character of the women of that era. The unselfish part they acted constantly commends itself to our admiration and example. If there is no abatement in this element of success in our ranks I feel sure their daughters can perpetuate a society worthy the cause and worthy of themselves."

The following Caroline Harrison quote is interesting as it illustrates her views on the media:

"I am disgusted with newspapers and reporters. Truth is a characteristic entirely unknown to them."

This Caroline Harrison quote relates to the condition of the White House:

"The rats have nearly taken the building so it has become necessary to get a man with ferrets to drive them out.
They have become so numerous and bold that they get up on the table in the Upper Hall..."

Facts about Caroline Harrison: Her Nickname or Pet Name "Carrie"
Facts and Info: This First Lady
's full name was Caroline Lavinia Scott but she was called by the pet name "Carrie" by her family, friends and husband.

Facts about Caroline Harrison: First Events
Facts and Info: Caroline Harrison was the 1st First Lady to
have a Christmas tree in the White House, a tradition that has been followed by all subsequent First Ladies. She was also the 1st First Lady to have electricity at the White House, although at first everyone was scared to use it, and she was the first to have a Christmas tree. Caroline was the second first lady to die in the White House.

Facts about the Causes and Accomplishments of Caroline Harrison
Facts and Info: First Ladies are not elected so have no official role. Their accomplishments are therefore based on their own particular wishes that ranged from political interests, humanitarian and charitable causes or duties relating to their family or social responsibilities. The causes and accomplishments of Caroline Harrison were demonstrated in her strong support of women's rights and the equality of women, and was instrumental in the founding and funding of the new Johns Hopkins Medical School on the proviso that the school would admit female students. Caroline also became the first president-general of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Facts about Caroline Harrison: The Life of Caroline Harrison
Facts and Info:
Caroline Lavinia Scott was born on October 1, 1832 in Oxford, Ohio. Her father was John Witherspoon Scott, a Presbyterian minister and professor of science and math at Miami University. Caroline had an excellent education at the Oxford Female Institute. Benjamin Harrison was a student of her father and the couple became engaged in 1852. Caroline Lavinia Scott married Benjamin Harrison on October 20, 1853 and they set up home in Indianapolis, Indiana where her husband set up a law practice. The couple had two children. Their first, child Russell Benjamin Harrison, was born in 1854 and their daughter Mary "Mamie" Scott Harrison (later Mary Scott Harrison McKee) was born in 1858. Her second daughter, Elizabeth, died soon after birth. Benjamin Harrison had started his political career becoming city attorney in 1857.  The American Civil war (1861-1865) then erupted and Benjamin joined the army. He resumed his political career and became a senator at which time Benjamin and Caroline Harrison moved to Washington, DC. Benjamin Harrison was elected President of the United States and Caroline assumed the role of First Lady at the White House on March 4, 1889. Caroline Harrison was appalled at the state of the White House and made it her mission to renovate, expand and modernize the White House. She succeeded in her mission and the White House benefited from having electricity installed and its plumbing updated. She proved herself to be a successful hostess, organizing numerous social events. Caroline supported women's rights and became a founding member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. As the first president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Caroline Harrison delivered a rousing speech that she had written herself. Caroline contracted tuberculosis and died at the White House on October 25, 1892, at the age of 60 and was buried in Indianapolis. Her daughter, Mamie Harrison, took over her mother's role as hostess for social events during the final months of her father's presidency.

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