Herbert Clark Hoover

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) 

Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States.

Hoover was born in West Branch, Iowa and had forefathers from Germany and Switzerland and grew up in a Quaker Family.

He graduated from the newly established Stanford University as a mining engineer. He worked in his profession in the U.S. as well as in Australia and China. In 1901, Hoover became a shareholder of a London mining company and seven years later he founded his own successful business and made a fortune with it.

During World War I, Hover served as a chairman of the relief organization for Belgium in London and as a organizer of the American food supply. After the war, he managed the organization "American Relief Administration", which took care of the food supplies in Europe.

From 1921 to 1928  Hoover was appointed as Secretary of Commerce in the U.S. government.

Wife: Lou Henry (1875-1944), wedding on February 10, 1899

Children: Herbert Clark Hoover (1903-1969), Allan Henry Hoover (1907-1993)

Profession: mining engineer

Presidential orientation: Republican

Presidential salary: USD 75,000/year

Results of the presidential election in 1928:

Vice President: Charles Curtis (1929-1933)

Presidency (1929-1933):

After Hoover promoted as Secretary of Commerce successfully the expansion of the American foreign trade, he won the presidential elections in 1928.

However, Hoover underestimated the problems of the Great Depression and took action to the necessary state intervention to stabilize the economy very slowly. Hoover tried for instance to defuse the international and economic crisis in 1931 with the help of the so-called "Hoover Moratorium", which was a one-year extension of all intergovernmental dept expenses. By his failure of his economic policy, however, he prepared in public a turning point for reinforcement of the state.

At the foreign policy level, Hoover was committed to a "good neighbor policy" towards Latin America.  

After retiring from the highest political office Hoover was still politically active and could rebuild his former reputation thanks to some successful reforms which he developed.

At the ripe old age of 90 years, Herbert C. Hoover died of colon cancer in New York City on October 20, 1964.

Point of interests:

Hoover was the second left-handed among the U.S. presidents.

"America - a great social and economic experiment, noble in motive and far-reaching in purpose." (Herbert Clark Hoover)