Caroline Lavinia Scott (1832-1892)/biography

Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison (, –, ), wife of , was  from  until her death.

Born at, "Carrie" was the second daughter of Mary Potts Neal and the Reverend Dr. John W. Scott, a minister and founder of the. As her father's pupil--brown-haired, petite, witty--she infatuated the reserved young Ben, then an honor student at ; they were engaged before his graduation and married on,. They would have three children: Russell Benjamin (1854-1936), Mary Scott (1856-1930), and an unnamed daughter (b./d. 1861).

After early years of struggle while he established a law practice in, they enjoyed a happy family life interrupted only by the. Then, while General Harrison became a man of note in his profession, his wife cared for their son and daughter, gave active service to the First Presbyterian Church and to an orphans' home, and extended hospitality to her many friends. Church views to the contrary, she saw no harm in private dancing lessons for her daughter--she liked dancing herself. Blessed with considerable artistic talent, she was an accomplished pianist; she especially enjoyed painting for recreation.

Illness repeatedly kept her away from 's winter social season during her husband's term in the Senate, 1881-1887, and she welcomed their return to private life; but she moved to the in 1889 to fulfill her duties as First Lady.

During the administration the Harrisons' daughter,, her two children, and other relatives lived at the White House. The First Lady tried in vain to have the overcrowded mansion enlarged but managed to assure an extensive renovation with up-to-date improvements. She established the collection of china associated with White House history. She worked for local charities as well. With other ladies of progressive views, she helped raise funds for the Medical School on condition that it admit women. In 1890 helped found the and served as its first President General. She took a special interest in the history of the White House, and the mature dignity with which she carried out her duties may overshadow the fun-loving nature that had charmed "Ben" Harrison when they met as teenagers.

She gave elegant receptions and dinners. In the winter of 1891-1892, however, she had to battle illness as she tried to fulfill her social obligations. She died of at the  in October 1892, and after services in the East Room was buried from her own church in Indianapolis.

When the period of official mourning ended, Mrs. McKee acted as hostess for her father in the last months of his term. In 1896, Benjamin Harrison, married Caroline Harrison's widowed niece and former secretary,.