12 Facts About Belle Hagner

Isabella Louisa Hagner James was the first White House social secretary.

Belle Hagner served in the administrations of President Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson.

Belle Hagner's great-uncle was Alexander Burton Belle Hagner, judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

Belle Hagner began working as a secretary for a variety of women in the District of Columbia, and helped women with the invitations for debutante teas.

Belle Hagner was hired by a number of prominent women, and eventually worked for the family of William S Cowles, the brother-in-law of Theodore Roosevelt.

Belle Hagner first met Second Lady-designate Edith Roosevelt in 1901 after the Presidential election of 1900.

Edith soon began to rely on Belle Hagner and authorized her to release photos of the first family in hopes of avoiding unauthorized press candids.

Belle Hagner was said to have an excellent knowledge of politics that was useful to the family.

Belle Hagner worked in the White House during the duration of the Roosevelt Administration, served Helen Herron Taft, and was the first appointee of President Woodrow Wilson, serving for a period as the social secretary to Ellen Wilson.

Belle Hagner worked in the Bureau of Trade Relations at the United States Department of State.

Belle Hagner's memoirs are preserved by the White House Historical Association.

Belle Hagner died in 1943 and is buried in Loudon Park Cemetery.