Herbert Hoover with his Chinese language instructor, c. 1899Herbert Hoover with his Chinese language instructor, c. 1899
Tangshan, Hebei Province
Courtesy of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, AL 47-075
Herbert Hoover, who was later elected the 31st president of the United States, went to China as a young man in 1899. He served as chief engineer for the Chinese Bureau of Mines and as general manager for the Chinese Engineering and Mining Corporation. Hoover and his wife, Lou, became fluent in Mandarin during their four-year stay. Throughout his presidency, the Hoovers spoke Chinese when they wanted to have a private conversation in the White House.