Caroline Harrison

Caroline Harrison was the wife of Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the United States, and served as the First Lady of the United States from 1889 until her death in 1892. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and supported various Washington, D.C.-based charities, including the Washington National Monument Society and the Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Caroline Harrison was also an advocate for the Johns Hopkins University and the Arts and Industries Building of the Smithsonian Institution. Her interests included music, art, and literature, and she was a patron of the Washington National Opera and the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

● Early Life and Education

Caroline Harrison was born in Oxford, Ohio, to John Witherspoon Scott and Mary Potts Neal Scott, and was raised in a family that valued education and community service. She attended the Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she met her future husband, Benjamin Harrison, who was a student at the Miami University and a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Caroline Harrison's family was connected to the Witherspoon family of Scotland and the Neal family of Ireland, and she was a descendant of John Witherspoon, a Signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. She was also related to William Henry Harrison, the 9th President of the United States, and John Scott Harrison, a member of the United States House of Representatives.

● Marriage and Family

Caroline Harrison married Benjamin Harrison in 1853, and the couple had three children: Russell Benjamin Harrison, Mary Scott Harrison McKee, and Elizabeth Harrison. The family lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Benjamin Harrison practiced law and served in the United States Senate. Caroline Harrison was a supportive wife and mother, and she managed the family's household and raised their children while her husband pursued his career in politics. The family was connected to the Harrison family of Virginia and the Scott family of Ohio, and they had ties to the Whig Party and the Republican Party. Caroline Harrison's husband, Benjamin Harrison, was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and a supporter of the Pension Bureau.

● White House Years

As the First Lady of the United States, Caroline Harrison was a popular hostess and entertained many guests at the White House, including dignitaries from Europe and Asia. She was a supporter of the women's suffrage movement and invited Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to the White House for a meeting. Caroline Harrison was also a patron of the arts and supported the work of artists such as John Singer Sargent and Mary Cassatt. She was a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and supported the United States Centennial celebrations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Caroline Harrison's time in the White House was marked by her support for charity and her interest in education, and she worked with organizations such as the American Red Cross and the United States Department of Education.

● Philanthropy and Interests

Caroline Harrison was a dedicated philanthropist and supported various charities in Washington, D.C., including the Washington National Monument Society and the Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and supported the United States Centennial celebrations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Caroline Harrison was also an advocate for the Johns Hopkins University and the Arts and Industries Building of the Smithsonian Institution. Her interests included music, art, and literature, and she was a patron of the Washington National Opera and the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Caroline Harrison supported the work of artists such as John Singer Sargent and Mary Cassatt, and she was a member of the National Academy of Design.

● Death and Legacy

Caroline Harrison died on October 25, 1892, at the White House, due to complications from tuberculosis. Her death was a significant loss for her husband, Benjamin Harrison, and their family, and she was remembered for her kindness, intelligence, and dedication to public service. Caroline Harrison's legacy includes her support for women's education and her advocacy for the arts and charity. She was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana, and her grave is marked by a monument designed by Henry Bacon. Caroline Harrison's memory is honored by the Caroline Scott Harrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Caroline Harrison Memorial Fund of the Johns Hopkins University. Category:First Ladies of the United States