Herbert Hoover
| Herbert Hoover | |
|---|---|
| File:Herbert Hoover Presidential Portrait.jpg | |
| Order | 31st President of the United States |
| In office | March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933 |
| Vice President | Charles Curtis |
| Preceded by | Calvin Coolidge |
| Succeeded by | Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Born | August 10, 1874 West Branch, Iowa, United States |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lou Henry Hoover (m. 1899–1944) |
| Children | 2 |
| Profession | Engineer, businessman, humanitarian |
| Alma mater | Stanford University |
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Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964) was the 31st president of the United States, serving from 1929 to 1933. A successful mining engineer and humanitarian before entering politics, Hoover is best remembered for leading the country during the early years of the Great Depression.
Early Life and Career
Born in West Branch, Iowa, Hoover was orphaned at a young age and raised by relatives in Oregon. He became a mining engineer and gained international fame for organizing food relief efforts during and after World War I. He served as Secretary of Commerce under Presidents Harding and Coolidge.
Presidency (1929–1933)
Hoover took office with high expectations but faced immediate economic turmoil when the stock market crashed in October 1929. Despite implementing some federal measures, his response to the Great Depression was widely seen as inadequate. He opposed large-scale government intervention, believing in voluntary cooperation and local solutions.
Post-Presidency
Hoover remained active in public service after leaving office. He headed two commissions to reorganize the executive branch under Presidents Truman and Eisenhower. Over time, his reputation partially recovered due to his continued humanitarian efforts and public service.
Legacy
Though blamed for the Great Depression during his presidency, Hoover was a complex figure whose ideas foreshadowed debates about the role of government. He is remembered as a principled leader and skilled administrator, though often overwhelmed by the magnitude of the crisis.