Hayes, Lucy Webb (1831-1889), was the wife of Rutherford B. Hayes, who served as president of the United States from 1877 to 1881. She was the first president’s wife to have a college degree. Though she was reluctant to publicly advocate for social causes, she supported help for the disadvantaged and efforts to prohibit alcoholic beverages. In addition, Lucy Hayes won praise as an intelligent and charming person.
Mrs. Hayes, whose maiden name was Lucy Ware Webb, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, on Aug. 28, 1831. Her father, a doctor, had inherited some slaves. He died when Lucy was 2 years old while on a trip to Kentucky to set those slaves free. Early in life, Lucy developed a strong opposition to slavery. Her mother’s father was a judge and an early supporter of the prohibition of alcohol. He urged his family to support that cause. Lucy later became associated with the cause.
Lucy Webb had two older brothers. In 1844, her mother moved the family to Delaware, Ohio, so the two sons could attend Ohio Wesleyan University there. Lucy, then only 13, also attended the university, first taking college preparatory courses and later some college courses. In 1847, Lucy enrolled in Wesleyan Female College in Cincinnati. She earned a degree from that school in 1850.
Lucy Webb first met Rutherford B. Hayes in 1847, while she was in Delaware, Ohio. Delaware was Rutherford’s hometown. The two met again in Cincinnati in 1850. They married on Dec. 30, 1852. The couple had eight children. The children were, in order of birth, Birchard Austin, James Webb Cook (later called Webb Cook), Rutherford Platt, Joseph Thompson, George Crook, Fanny, Scott Russell, and Manning Force.
Rutherford B. Hayes served in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Mrs. Hayes was a strong supporter of the Union cause, partly because of its opposition to slavery. She visited her husband’s Army headquarters and helped nurse wounded soldiers there. Rutherford B. Hayes was elected governor of Ohio in 1867, and the couple moved to Columbus, Ohio’s capital. While in Columbus, Mrs. Hayes showed her concern for the unfortunate by visiting orphanages, mental institutions, and veterans’ hospitals. She helped found an orphanage in the city.
Mrs. Hayes gained widespread admiration during the time she was first lady, from 1877 to 1881. She was a gracious hostess at White House receptions and other functions, and her manner put visitors at ease. Lucy Hayes and her husband believed their positions gave them an opportunity to educate people by example. A movement to outlaw alcoholic beverages was strong in the United States at the time. Lucy Hayes was sympathetic to this cause, and her husband was concerned about the problem of alcoholism. The serving of alcohol in the White House was banned beginning early in the Hayes Administration. Some critics of this policy called Mrs. Hayes “Lemonade Lucy” because of her stance against alcohol. The Hayeses started the tradition of having children roll Easter eggs on the White House lawn. Lucy Hayes died on June 25, 1889.
See also Hayes, Rutherford Birchard .
