Helen tapped was more ambitious about getting to the white house than her husband, William Howard taft, and was willing to get personally in bald in politics to get him elected. As first lady, she overcame a serious illness directly mounted the white house. Invited top Classical Musicians to perform their, and support it causes that matter to her. Helen tap also has one of the most physical legacies of our first ladies. Washington d. C. s famous japanese cherry trees, the ones that frame the tidal basin in the Nations Capital and brings tens of thousands of visitors to washington every year. Good evening, and welcome to first ladies. Influence and image. The life of hell and taft, her husband served in the white house from 1909 to 1913. Here to tell us about her life and her legacy is her biographer lewis gold. His biography of her is helen taft, our musical first lady. You open the book by making the case that of the 20th century first lady, shes the most obscure but you say she deser
White house. American history tv features cspans original series, first ladies. Cspan produced in the series in cooperation with the White House Historical association. Through conversations, video tools, and questions from cspans audience, we tell the story of americas 45 first ladies. Next, helen taft. This is about 1. 5 hours. Helen taft was more ambitious by getting to the white house than her husband. Willing to get personally involved in politics to get elected. She overcame a serious illness to directly manage the white house, invite a Classical Musicians to perform, and supported concerts that mattered to her. Helen taft also has a visible legacy. Famouston, d. C. s japanese cherry trees, the ones that frame the title basin in bring visitors to washington every year. Good evening and welcome to first ladies, influence and image, the life of helen taft. He served from 19091913. Here to tell us about her life is her biographer. Is our musical first lady. You open the book making
Taft our musical first lady. You opened the book by making the case that of the 20th century first lady, shes the most obscure, but you say she deserves better from history. Tell me quickly why she deserves better than being obscure . Mr. Gould well, because she did some things that were, as youve mentioned in your opening, about that were very constructive, i mean, the cherry trees, bringing the Classical Music musicians to the white house, and, generally, trying to make washington the Cultural Center of the nation. That was her ambition. Now, it didnt work out because of medical reasons. But she had an agenda that would have made her rank with Eleanor Roosevelt or Lady Bird Johnson in terms of transforming washington had things gone the other way. Ms. Swain she also seemed to have an agenda to get her husband to the white house. Mr. Gould yes, the story is that she decided when she visited the white house in the hayeS Administration, hey, i want to do that as well. Its somewhat overd
Since then, he has written books on, may be best book on the United States senate, may be further maybe for the republican party. President taft, roosevelt, mckinley. Hes written the history of wyoming, the written history of the first lady. She is an extraordinary historian. On the back quotes modern american presidency which might be the one book you ought to have on the presidency. Original,st and most steve neal, compelling analysis , robert who is also been here, where achievements rare achievements, a pleasure, strong and provocative. Highly readable, refreshing, required reading. And last but not leaving, as i introduce our fred, a friend of the library, formerly professor at the university of texas, a wonderful writer. I want to read what Richard Norton smith says. Ould does not hesitate to offer sobering conclusions and i want to say i know he will stay sober tonight. Gentlemen, lewis gould. [applause] lewis gould thank you for that kind and generous introduction. It is always
The spanishamerican war, etc. Books onn hes written maybe the best book on the United States senate, may the best book on the presidency, on the republican party. Hes written about various president s taft, roosevelt, mckinley, etc. Hes written the history of wyoming. Hes written a history of first ladies. Hes an extraordinary historian. From historical americans, blurbs on the modern american presidency. The freshest and most original study of the modern presidency, compelling analysis and critique of robert dolly, whos also been here in the library, where achievements and , strong andnthesis provocative, richard ellis. Highly readable, refreshingly revisionist required readings, stephen gillen. As i introduce our friend, friend of the library, friend of mine, formerly professor at the university of texas, wonderful writer, i want to read what Richard Norton says about him. Gould does not hesitate to offer sobering conclusions. Will stayt lew gould sober tonight. Ladies and gentlemen,