Hearst, Phoebe Apperson (1842–1919)

Phoebe Apperson was born in Franklin County, Missouri. She worked as a teacher in various local schools until she married George Hearst at the age of 19. George was 22 years her senior at the time of their marriage.

Shortly after marriage, the Hearsts moved to San Francisco, California. Phoebe gave birth to their only child, William Randolph Hearst, in 1863. When William was only 10 years old, Phoebe took him on a tour of Europe for more than a year to expose him to art, architecture, and culture. This trip was the inspiration for the later construction of the famous Hearst Castle in Southern California.

In 1887 George was elected to the U.S. Senate and the couple moved to Washington, D.C., where Phoebe spent her time ...