The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge

At the end of an earlier post , I wrote that after I finish reading Edith Wharton's autobiography, A Backward Glance , I'd choose another book to read; the implication being that I would pick one of Wharton's many novels or short story collections.

The reading of Wharton's autobiography did lead me to put a number of books in the queue; two being her first novel, The Valley of Decision and one of her most famous novels, Ethan Frome. Her autobiography also led me to put a number of other writers in line - namely Mayne Reid, Henry James and George Meredith. Surprisingly, it also led me to put in The Swiss Family Robinson as well.

Probably the most surprising result is the actual book that I've chosen to read next - The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge.

Wharton and Coolidge were contemporaries, she being born ten years before Coolidge and dying four years after the President. Both had a connection to the state of Massachusetts, but that's where the similarities end.

Wharton was born into a wealthy family; her father (and later, her husband), being born into the "leisure class" who, "expressed disdain for all forms of productive work, especially any type of manual labor".

Although not "poor" the Coolidge family was certainly not rich. Calvin's father owned several businesses and a farm, and felt that hard work was an essential part of life. Calvin was raised to have a strong Puritan work ethic.

When writing of his time in college, Coolidge said,
"A great deal of emphasis was placed on the necessity and dignity of work. Our talents were given us in order that we may serve ourselves and our fellow men. Work is the expression of intelligent action for a specified end. It is not industry, but idleness, that is degrading. All kinds of work from the most menial service to the most exalted station are alike honorable".

That is a lesson I wish that I had been taught as a child.

Two bits of trivia picked up in the autobiography -
Twice in the autobiography, Coolidge refers to his wife, not as "First Lady", but as "Mistress of the White House".

Secondly, we all know that normally when a President is inaugurated, he is swore in by a Supreme Court Justice. However, when a President dies in office, the Vice President may not be where a Supreme Court Justice, or even a Federal Judge is nearby. In the case of Calvin Coolidge, when President Harding died in office, Vice President Coolidge was visiting his father in rural Vermont. With no Federal judge available, the oath of office was administered by Coolidge's father who was a notary public and justice of the peace.

I've read online where Coolidge is not rated very high as President. Be that as it may, I've learned that he was first of all, a good and decent human being, and he ranks high on my list.