Howe, Louis M. (Louis McHenry), 1871-1936

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Louis McHenry Howe (1871-1936) was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and moved to Saratoga Springs, New York, where he attended the Saratoga Institute, a private day school. His father had purchased the Saratoga Sun in 1882 and Louis worked for him, eventually taking charge of the publication when his father became ill. He also assumed his father''s supplemental position as local reporter for the New York Herald. In 1906, Howe became involved in an attempt to reform the Democratic Party in New York State. As a newspaperman Howe was able to serve the anti-Tammany organization in many ways. In 1910 he met the young Senator from Dutchess County, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Drawn together by mutual political interests, the two became close friends. When Roosevelt was ill with typhoid fever during his 1912 campaign for re-election to the Senate, Howe carried the campaign to a successful conclusion. Howe went to Washington in 1913 as secretary and, later, special assistant to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt. He was mainly a "trouble-shooter" using his political acumen to cut through government red tape. The eight years in Washington were probably the most stable ones the Howe family ever enjoyed. When Roosevelt contracted polio in 1921, Howe committed himself to the job of secretary, friend and confidant, which was to be his for the rest of his life. He was a nurse, business manager and morale booster for Roosevelt, encouraging him to make ship models, which were pitted against other models in challenge cup races. Howe wrote skits and poems and made up watercolor booklets about experiences he and Roosevelt had shared. One such story was "The Log of the Houseboat Larooco" (now in the Roosevelt Family, Business and Personal Papers). He also managed to keep Roosevelt''s name before the public in anticipation of the time when Roosevelt would be ready to run for governor in 1932 and for the presidency in 1936. The 1928 draft of Roosevelt changed the timetable but not the program. Howe managed Roosevelt''s gubernatorial campaigns and acted as his secretary and chief advisor during the two terms as governor of New York State. In 1932 he and James Farley went to the convention in Chicago to secure the presidential nomination for Roosevelt. After the election Howe supposedly remarked that he had probably worked himself out of a job. To some degree this was true. Howe lived at the White House and had an office close to the President, but it was no longer possible for him to handle all the demands the job placed on a secretary. He established the first Press Intelligence Service, for which he was secretary and, later, executive director of the National Crime Commission and was actively involved in plans for the Civilian Conservation Corps and Subsistence Housing projects, particularly Arthurdale. The heart condition and chronic asthma, which had plagued Howe most of his life began to take its toll. He was dangerously ill by April 1935, but even after he was hospitalized in August of that year, he continued to be involved in affairs of government and in plans for the 1936 campaign. He suggested the creation of a Roosevelt Good Neighbor League to organize "non-partisan" clubs throughout the country. This was an effort to involve Republicans who supported Roosevelt but did not wish to be labeled Democrats. Howe did not live to see Roosevelt re-elected. He died on April 18, 1936.

From the description of Howe, Louis M. (Louis McHenry), 1871-1936 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10677889

Howe was assistant and personal secretary to Franklin D. Roosevelt beginning with his 1912 campaign for re-election to the Senate. Howe managed Roosevelt's gubernatorial campaigns and acted as secretary and advisor during Roosevelt's two terms as New York State Governor, and was Chief Advisor to the President, 1933-1936.

From the description of Files, 1912-1936. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155523373

Assistant and personal secretary to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

From the description of Papers, 1889-1952. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155523390

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Murphy, Frank, 1890-1949. Papers, 1908-1949 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Thomas, A. F. (Alsen Franklin), 1862-1943. Papers of A. F. Thomas [manuscript], 1914-1943. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Roosevelt family. Papers donated by the children of Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt, [ca. 1686]-1959. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Franklin D. Roosevelt Library. Sound recording collection, [ca. 1933]-1986. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Thomas Watt Gregory papers, 1896-1933, (bulk 1919-1933) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Byron Rufus Newton papers, 1882-1938 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn George E. Crothers papers, 1905-1957 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Morgenthau, Henry, 1891-1967. Papers, 1866-1953, 1933-1953 (bulk) Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Forbush, Gabrielle Elliot, 1890-. Papers, 1932-1967. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Thomas Watt Gregory papers, 1896-1933, (bulk 1919-1933) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Newton, Byron Rufus, 1861-1938. Byron Rufus Newton papers, 1882-1938 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Roosevelt, G. Hall. G. Hall Roosevelt papers, 1930-1932. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Oswald Garrison Villard papers Houghton Library
referencedIn George Murphy papers, 1911-1961 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Roper, Daniel C. (Daniel Calhoun), 1867-1943. Alphabetical series, 1927-1943 and n.d. (bulk 1933-1938). Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Russell, Francis, 1910-1989. President Makers from Mark Hanna to Joseph Patrick Kennedy, [197-]. New Hampshire Newspaper Project
referencedIn Irving Fisher papers, 1861-1976, 1894-1947 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Ben B. Lindsey papers Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Fisher, Irving, 1867-1947. Irving Fisher papers, 1861-1976 (inclusive), 1894-1947 (bulk). Yale University Library
creatorOf Haas, William, 1884-. William Haas papers, 1917-1962. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Powell, Dawn. Dawn Powell Papers, 1910-1998. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Roosevelt family. Autographs, 1900-1966. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Edward Mandell House papers, 1885-2007, 1885-1938 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
creatorOf Howe, Louis McHenry, 1871-1936. Files, 1912-1936. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn National Progressive League. Papers, 1931-1932 New York State Library
referencedIn Osborne Family Papers, 1786-1968, 1880-1925 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn New York (State). Governor (1929-1932 : Roosevelt). Records, 1929-1932. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Bordner, Robert L., d. 1973. Papers, 1933-1955. Wayne State University
creatorOf Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945. Franklin D. Roosevelt manuscript material : 2 items, 1929-1932 New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Roper, Daniel C. (Daniel Calhoun), 1867-1943. Papers, 1860-1985 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
creatorOf Papers of Louis M. Howe. 1913 - 1936. Howe, Louis M. Papers : Secretary to the President Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
referencedIn VanDerhoof, Frank E., 1888-. Correspondence, 1929-1933. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Dewson, Molly, 1874-1962. Papers, 1898-1961, 1921-1961 (bulk) Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Roper, Daniel C. (Daniel Calhoun), 1867-1943. Papers, 1860-1985 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Rollins, Alfred B. (Alfred Brooks), 1921-. Papers, 1841-1962. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn James A. Farley Papers, 1790-1976, (bulk 1918-1976) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945. Materials from the papers of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Louis M. Howe relating to the National Crime Commission, 1925-1932 [microform]. University of Wyoming, William R. Coe Library
creatorOf Howe, Louis McHenry, 1871-1936. Papers, 1889-1952. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
creatorOf Central Council of District Clubs (Saint Paul, Minn.). Organization records, 1928-1940. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Emerson C. Ives collection 1932-1970 Ives, Emerson C. collection William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Hull, Cordell, 1871-1955. Cordell Hull papers, 1901-1932, bulk 1921-1932. Tennessee State Library & Archives, TSLA
referencedIn Franklin D. Roosevelt Library. Eleanor Roosevelt sound recordings, 1939-1962. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Robinson, W. D., 1865-1945. W.D. Robinson papers, 1920-1943. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Brown, Edward Fullerton, 1891-. Edward F. Brown papers, 1915-1962. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Kunze, Alfred M. Autograph collection of Alfred M. Kunze, 1933-1959. Library of Congress
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Baker, Mary H. Howe. person
correspondedWith Bordner, Robert L., d. 1973. person
associatedWith Brown, Edward Fullerton, 1891- person
associatedWith Central Council of District Clubs (Saint Paul, Minn.). corporateBody
associatedWith Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Crothers, George E. (George Edward), 1870-1957 person
associatedWith Democratic National Committee (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Democratic Party (N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Democratic Party (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Dewson, Molly, 1874-1962. person
correspondedWith Farley, James A. (James Aloysius), 1888-1976 person
associatedWith Fisher, Irving, 1867-1947. person
associatedWith Fisher, Irving Norton, 1900- person
associatedWith Forbush, Gabrielle Elliot, 1890- person
associatedWith Franklin D. Roosevelt Library. corporateBody
correspondedWith Gregory, Thomas Watt, 1861-1933. person
associatedWith Haas, William, 1884- person
associatedWith Hartley, Mary J. person
associatedWith House, Edward Mandell, 1858-1938. person
associatedWith Howe, Eliza B. person
associatedWith Howe, Grace Hartley. person
associatedWith Howe, Hartley Edward. person
associatedWith Hull, Cordell, 1871-1955. person
associatedWith Ives, Emerson C. person
associatedWith Kunze, Alfred M. person
correspondedWith Lindsey, Ben B. (Ben Barr), 1869-1943. person
associatedWith Morgenthau, Henry, 1891-1967. person
associatedWith Murphy, Frank, 1890-1949 person
associatedWith Murphy, George, 1897-1961 person
associatedWith National Progressive League. corporateBody
associatedWith Newton, Byron Rufus, 1861-1938. person
associatedWith New York (State). Governor (1929-1932 : Roosevelt) corporateBody
associatedWith Osborne family. family
associatedWith Powell, Dawn. person
associatedWith Robinson, W. D., 1865-1945. person
associatedWith Rollins, Alfred B. (Alfred Brooks), 1921- person
associatedWith Roosevelt family. family
associatedWith Roosevelt family. family
associatedWith Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945. person
associatedWith Roosevelt, G. Hall. person
associatedWith Roper, Daniel C. (Daniel Calhoun), 1867-1943. person
associatedWith Russell, Francis, 1910-1989. person
associatedWith Stiles, Lela. person
associatedWith Thomas, A. F. (Alsen Franklin), 1862-1943. person
associatedWith United States. Navy Dept. corporateBody
associatedWith VanDerhoof, Frank E., 1888- person
correspondedWith Villard, Oswald Garrison, 1872-1949 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York (State)
United States
Subject
Elections
Families
Governor
Housing
Lynching
New Deal, 1933-1939
Political parties
Prisons
Public service employment
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1871-01-14

Death 1936-04-18

Americans

English

Information

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