Eleanor Roosevelt and Hick in History: The Profound Bond That Shaped a First Lady

Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena "Hick" Hickok shared one of the most intense and influential relationships in 20th-century American history. Spanning thirty years, their bond—documented in over 18,000 letters—transformed Eleanor from a reluctant political wife into a powerful social activist and provided critical ground-level insights that shaped New Deal policies during the Great Depression.

The Origins of a Historical Partnership

The relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok began in the high-stakes environment of the 1932 presidential campaign. At the time, Lorena Hickok was the most famous female journalist in America. Working for the Associated Press (AP), she was a hard-nosed, cigar-smoking, professionally aggressive reporter who had fought her way to the top of a male-dominated industry. She was assigned to cover the wife of the Democratic nominee, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), a task she initially viewed with some skepticism.

As they traveled together on campaign trains, the professional distance between the reporter and the subject began to dissolve. Hickok, who had survived a traumatic and impoverished childhood, found in Eleanor a woman of immense empathy and untapped potential. Conversely, Eleanor, who was struggling with the prospect of becoming First Lady—a role she feared would strip her of her growing independence—found in "Hick" a confidante who took her seriously as an individual.

By the time of FDR’s first inauguration in 1933, the two women were inseparable. Hickok’s influence was immediate; she encouraged Eleanor to hold her own press conferences, write her own newspaper column, and establish herself as a distinct political entity rather than a mere social hostess. This partnership fundamentally altered the office of the First Lady, moving it from the periphery of the White House to the center of social policy.

The Letters: Evidence of an Extraordinary Intimacy

The primary source for understanding Eleanor Roosevelt and Hick in history is the massive collection of correspondence housed at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. When biographer Doris Faber first examined these letters in 1978, she was stunned by their emotional intensity. The letters reveal a depth of affection that has led modern historians to engage in a decades-long debate regarding the nature of their intimacy.

The correspondence began in earnest during the early months of the Roosevelt administration. In a letter dated March 5, 1933, the day after the inauguration, Eleanor wrote to Hickok: "I want to put my arms around you and kiss you at the corner of your mouth." Hickok responded with equal fervor, often writing about how much she missed the physical presence of the First Lady.

These letters were more than just romantic expressions; they were a lifeline. Eleanor used them to process the immense pressure of the White House, while Hickok used them to offer political advice and emotional grounding. The sheer volume—sometimes several letters a day—indicates a relationship that was the primary emotional focus for both women during the 1930s.

The Preservation of the Correspondence

Interestingly, the survival of these letters was a matter of conscious choice. Hickok, aware of the historical significance of the Roosevelt era, donated the letters to the FDR Library with the stipulation that they remain closed until ten years after her death. While she burned some of the most "sensitive" portions, the thousands that remain provide an unvarnished look at a First Lady’s private heart. As of 2026, these archives continue to be a cornerstone for scholars researching LGBTQ+ history and the personal lives of American political figures.

Lorena Hickok’s Influence on the New Deal

Lorena Hickok’s contribution to American history extends far beyond her personal relationship with Eleanor. In 1933, realizing that her close bond with the First Lady made it impossible for her to remain an objective journalist, Hickok resigned from the Associated Press. Harry Hopkins, the head of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), hired her as a chief field investigator.

Hickok’s job was to travel across the United States and report on how the Great Depression was affecting ordinary people. She was "the eyes and ears" of the New Deal. Her reports, which were often raw and brutally honest, were sent to Hopkins but were also shared directly with Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt.

• The South and Appalachia: Hickok’s reports on the starvation and lack of medical care in these regions spurred the Roosevelts to prioritize rural electrification and health initiatives.
• The Bonus Army: Hickok helped navigate the potentially volatile second meeting of the Bonus Army in Washington, facilitating a peaceful resolution that stood in stark contrast to the violent crackdown under the previous administration.
• Arthurdale: Hickok was instrumental in the creation of Arthurdale, West Virginia, a resettlement community for displaced miners. While the project faced many challenges, it was a direct result of the reports Hickok filed and Eleanor’s subsequent advocacy.

Hickok’s ability to communicate the human cost of the Depression gave the Roosevelts the political ammunition they needed to push through radical social legislation. Without Hick's ground-level data, the New Deal might have remained a set of abstract economic theories rather than a human-centric recovery plan.

Comparing the Inner Circle: Roles and Influence

To understand Hickok’s unique position, it is helpful to compare her role with other key figures in Eleanor Roosevelt's life.

The Complexity of Their Later Years

As the 1930s drew to a close, the intensity of the relationship between Eleanor and Hick began to shift. The demands of the impending World War II and Eleanor’s increasingly global role meant she had less time for the private, focused attention that Hickok craved. Hickok often struggled with jealousy and a sense of being sidelined by Eleanor’s other assistants and friends.

Hickok eventually moved into the White House for a period, living in a room across from the First Lady’s. However, the dynamics of their bond changed from a romantic partnership to a more settled, if sometimes strained, lifelong friendship. Hickok faced health issues, including diabetes, and financial instability, often relying on Eleanor for support.

Despite these changes, their loyalty never wavered. When Eleanor Roosevelt passed away in 1962, Hickok was devastated. She spent her final years working on a biography of Eleanor, titled Reluctant First Lady, which was published shortly before Hickok’s own death in 1968.

Historical Interpretations and Modern Context

In the 2020s, the study of Eleanor Roosevelt and Hick has become a focal point for understanding "romantic friendships" in history. Historians like Blanche Wiesen Cook have argued forcefully that their relationship was a lesbian romance, emphasizing the physical language in the letters and the shared life they attempted to build at Val-Kill.

Other scholars suggest that the labels of the 21st century may not perfectly fit the early 20th century, though they acknowledge the relationship was the most significant emotional connection of Eleanor's adult life. Regardless of the label, the consensus among historians in 2026 is that Hickok was the catalyst for Eleanor’s transformation. She provided the validation Eleanor needed to step out from behind FDR’s shadow and become a leader in her own right.

The Significance of Val-Kill

Val-Kill, Eleanor's cottage in Hyde Park, New York, serves as a physical monument to her independence. While Hickok did not live there permanently, the space was designed as a sanctuary for Eleanor and her circle of female friends. It was at Val-Kill that Eleanor felt most free to be herself, away from the rigid expectations of the Roosevelt family and the political theater of Washington. Hickok’s presence in this private sphere was a testament to her status as "family" in every sense that mattered to Eleanor.

Practical Insights for Researchers

For those looking to explore the history of "Hick" and Eleanor, several primary and secondary resources are essential:

1. The FDR Presidential Library (Hyde Park, NY): This is the definitive repository of their letters. Many have been digitized for public access.
2. "Empty Without You": Edited by Rodger Streitmatter, this book provides a curated selection of their correspondence, offering a chronological look at their evolving bond.
3. Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site (Val-Kill): Visiting the site offers context into the social circles ER built, including her relationship with Hickok and other reformers.
4. FERA Reports: Hickok’s official reports to Harry Hopkins are public records and provide an incredible look at the socio-economic conditions of the 1930s.

FAQ: Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok

Did Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok live together?

Lorena Hickok lived in the White House for several years during the Roosevelt administration, occupying a room adjacent to Eleanor's. However, they did not share a permanent private residence in the traditional sense, as Eleanor's life was divided between the White House, Hyde Park, and her apartment in New York City.

Why were their letters kept secret for so long?

Hickok herself requested that the letters be closed for ten years after her death to protect the reputation of the Roosevelt family. When they were finally opened in 1978, the content was so revelatory that it sparked a significant re-evaluation of Eleanor Roosevelt’s personal life.

What happened to Lorena Hickok after FDR died?

After FDR’s death in 1945, Hickok remained close to Eleanor but struggled with her own career and health. She worked for the New York State Democratic Committee and eventually moved to Hyde Park to be closer to Eleanor, where she lived in a small cottage on the Roosevelt estate.

Was FDR aware of their relationship?

Historical evidence suggests that Franklin Roosevelt was aware of the deep bond between his wife and Hickok. FDR generally allowed Eleanor a high degree of personal freedom, and he valued Hickok’s political reporting, often reading her field memos with great interest.

Did Hickok write any books?

Yes, Lorena Hickok was a prolific writer. Her most notable works include The Story of Eleanor Roosevelt (1958) and Reluctant First Lady (1962). She also wrote several books for young adults about historical figures.

Final Perspective: A Partnership of Purpose

The story of Eleanor Roosevelt and "Hick" is not merely a footnote in the biography of a First Lady; it is a central pillar of the New Deal era. Lorena Hickok provided the emotional scaffolding that allowed Eleanor Roosevelt to survive the pressures of the presidency and the personal betrayals of her marriage. In return, Eleanor gave Hickok a sense of purpose and a front-row seat to the reconstruction of American society.

Their relationship serves as a reminder that history is often driven by private connections. The policies that fed millions and rebuilt a nation were informed by the letters, conversations, and shared observations of two women who found in each other the strength to challenge the status quo. For anyone studying American history in 2026, understanding "Hick" is essential to understanding the true Eleanor Roosevelt.