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Caroline Harrison
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White House portraitCaroline Lavinia Scott Harrison (October 1, 1832 – October 25, 1892), wife of Benjamin Harrison, was First Lady of the United States from 1889 until her death.

Born at Oxford, Ohio, "Carrie" was the second daughter of Mary Potts Neal and the Reverend Dr. John W. Scott, a Presbyterian minister and founder of the Oxford Female Institute. As her father's pupil--brown-haired, petite, witty--she infatuated the reserved young Ben, then an honor student at Miami University; they were engaged before his graduation and married on October 20, 1853. They would have three children: Russell Benjamin (1854-1936), Mary Scott (1856-1930), and an unnamed daughter (b./d. 1861).

After early years of struggle while he established a law practice in Indianapolis, they enjoyed a happy family life interrupted only by the Civil War. Then, while General Harrison became a man of note in his profession, his wife cared for their son and daughter, gave active service to the First Presbyterian Church and to an orphans' home, and extended hospitality to her many friends. Church views to the contrary, she saw no harm in private dancing lessons for her daughter--she liked dancing herself. Blessed with considerable artistic talent, she was an accomplished pianist; she especially enjoyed painting for recreation.

Illness repeatedly kept her away from Washington, DC's winter social season during her husband's term in the Senate, 1881-1887, and she welcomed their return to private life; but she moved to the White House in 1889 to fulfill her duties as First Lady.

During the administration the Harrisons' daughter, Mary Harrison McKee, her two children, and other relatives lived at the White House. The First Lady tried in vain to have the overcrowded mansion enlarged but managed to assure an extensive renovation with up-to-date improvements. She established the collection of china associated with White House history. She worked for local charities as well. With other ladies of progressive views, she helped raise funds for the Johns Hopkins University Medical School on condition that it admit women. In 1890 helped found the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and served as its first President General. She took a special interest in the history of the White House, and the mature dignity with which she carried out her duties may overshadow the fun-loving nature that had charmed "Ben" Harrison when they met as teenagers.

She gave elegant receptions and dinners. In the winter of 1891-1892, however, she had to battle illness as she tried to fulfill her social obligations. She died of tuberculosis at the White House in October 1892, and after services in the East Room was buried from her own church in Indianapolis.

When the period of official mourning ended, Mrs. McKee acted as hostess for her father in the last months of his term. In 1896, Benjamin Harrison, married Caroline Harrison's widowed niece and former secretary, Mary Scott Lord Dimmick. She survived him by nearly 47 years, dying in January 1948.
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Caroline Scott Harrison
(1832-1892)

Caroline Harrison received her degree in music, art, and literature from the Oxford Female Institute in 1852. She taught in the music department at the Institute during her senior year. She had inherited her mother's talent and was a brilliant pianist. Caroline then taught for one year at a girls' school in Carrollton, Kentucky. Near the end of the year on October 20, 1853, Caroline married Benjamin Harrison. The ceremony was performed by her father. Caroline was an artist who enjoyed working in water colors and china painting. She designed the Harrison White House china.
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Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison
Women in History. Caroline Scott Harrison biography. 12/13/2005 16:06:58. Lakewood Public Library. Saturday, May 13, 2006. <http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/harr-car.htm>.

World Book Encyclopedia; Quarrie Corporation
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NAME: Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison

DATE OF BIRTH: October 1, 1832

PLACE OF BIRTH: Oxford, Ohio

DATE OF DEATH: October 25, 1892

PLACE OF DEATH: White House

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Caroline Lavinia Scott, "Carrie," was the first wife of President Benjamin Harrison. She was the daughter of John Witherspoon Scott, a teacher and Presbyterian minister and Mary Potts Neal Scott. She had two sisters: Elizabeth Lord and Mary Spears and two brothers: John and Henry. Her family was Presbyterian.

On October 20, 1853 she married Benjamin Harrison; they had one son, Russell Lord, (changed later to Russell Benjamin) Harrison and two daughters, Mary Scott Harrison McKee and an unnamed still born daughter. Caroline served as First Lady from 1889 to 1892.

EDUCATION: Caroline's parents were not only firm believers in education, but devoted their lives to educating young women and girls. As a young girl, she attended the Farmers College where her father taught. Here, she met and fell in love with Benjamin Harrison.

In 1853 she graduated with a music degree from the Oxford Female Institute, which her father was instrumental in founding. While at the institute, Caroline developed her love for English Literature, drama, music, art and painting. While at Oxford and after graduation in Kentucky, Caroline taught music, home economics and painting to students.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Some regard her as the most underrated First Lady. While grandmotherly in appearance compared to her predecessor and successor, Frances Cleveland, she was greatly devoted to women's rights. She only agreed to assist John Hopkins raise money to start a medical school on the condition they must admit women.

In 1890, the newly formed Daughters of the Revolution asked Caroline to become their President; in February 1892, Caroline gave the first recorded speech by a First Lady at the first congress of the DAR. As First Lady, she urged the American public to support their country by "buying American."

Her love of painting translated into her painting the White House china and also into her painting an orchid print made available to the women and girls of America. She began a preservation program for White House china, furniture and other artifacts which pioneered the necessity of historical preservation in the country.

The Harrisons inherited a White House which was rat infested and filthy. Caroline tried to expand the White House but did receive Congress's approval; instead, she did some remodeling and had electricity installed. However, the Harrisons were weary of this new energy source and avoided the switches. Caroline's efforts at White House expansion highlighted the need for more space to accommodate the increasing complexity of the role of the President.

She brought in the first Christmas tree to the White House in December of 1889; the Marine Band and Sousa revived dancing to the White House which had not been seen since Sara Polk was First Lady in 1845.

Caroline Harrison was deeply respected for her warmth, intelligence and artistic talent and for her devotion to her family and to her beliefs. During the country's centennial celebrations she became ill with tuberculosis and depression and died only four months before President Harrison's term ended.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Benjamin Harrison, "Papers of Benjamin Harrison," Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washinton D.C.

Foster, Harriet Newell McIntyre. Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, the First President-General of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 1908.
[Western Reserve Historical Society]

"Obituary of Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison," New York Times, 26 October 1892.

Smith, Ophia D. "Caroline Scott Harrison: A Daughter of Old Oxford," National Historical Magazine 75, (April 1941): 4-8, 65.

WEB SITES:

Biography of Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison - White House history
Caroline Harrison - National First Ladies' Library
Benjamin Harrison - The American President, PBS