Lucy Webb Hayes | |
---|---|
First Lady of the United States | |
In role March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881 | |
President | Rutherford B. Hayes |
Preceded by | Julia Grant |
Succeeded by | Lucretia Garfield |
First Lady of Ohio | |
In role January 10, 1876 – March 2, 1877 | |
Governor | Rutherford B. Hayes |
Preceded by | Margaret Noyes |
Succeeded by | Sarah Young |
In role January 12, 1868 – January 8, 1872 | |
Governor | Rutherford B. Hayes |
Preceded by | Helen Cox |
Succeeded by | Margaret Noyes |
Personal details | |
Born | Lucy Ware Webb August 28, 1831 Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S. |
Died | June 25, 1889 Fremont, Ohio, U.S. | (aged 58)
Resting place | Spiegel Grove |
Spouse | |
Children | 8, including Webb and Rutherford |
Education | Ohio Wesleyan University (BA) |
Signature | |
Lucy Ware Hayes (née Webb; August 28, 1831 – June 25, 1889) was the wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes and served as first lady of the United States from 1877 to 1881.
Hayes was the first First Lady to have a college degree.[1] She was also a more egalitarian hostess than previous First Ladies.[2] An advocate for African Americans both before and after the American Civil War, she invited the first African-American professional musician to appear at the White House.[3] She was a Past Grand of Lincoln Rebekah Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, together with her husband.
Historians have christened her "Lemonade Lucy" due to her staunch support of the temperance movement; however, contrary to popular belief, she was never referred to by that nickname while living. It was her husband who banned alcohol from the White House.