Herbert Clark Hoover

(1874-1964) engineer, diplomat, Secretary of Commerce, President of the United States

Herbert Hoover entered public life in 1914, after World War I began, taking on the task of distributing food to the Belgian people. He then became food administrator in the United States, supervising the production and distribution of food for American soldiers and civilians, as well as the nation's allies. He succeeded so well that President Warren G. Harding appointed him Secretary of Commerce in 1921, a position he held until running for President in 1928.

Chronology of His Life and Career
August 10, 1874	Born in West Branch, Iowa.
1895	Graduated from Stanford University.
1897	Became managing engineer of gold mines in Australia.
1898	Became Chief Engineer of the Chinese Imperial Bureau of Mines.
February 10, 1899	Married Lou Henry.
1908	Established his own engineering firm.
1914	Headed the Commission for Relief in Belgium.
1917	Named United States Food Administrator.
1921	Appointed Secretary of Commerce.
1928	Elected President of the United States.
1944	Mrs. Lou Henry died.
1945	Named chairman of the Famine Emergency Commission.
1947	Named chairman of the Hoover Commission.
1954	The Herbert Hoover Foundation was established.
October 20, 1964	Died in New York City.