Ruth Cleveland

Ruth Cleveland (October 3, 1891 – January 7, 1904), popularly known as Baby Ruth or Babe Ruth, was the eldest of five children born to United States President Grover Cleveland and First Lady Frances Cleveland. She is the namesake of the Baby Ruth candy bar.

Cleveland was born in New York City, lived at the White House and Gray Gables, the family's summer home on Cape Cod. After her father's second term she moved with her family to Westland Mansion in Princeton, New Jersey, where she attended Miss Fine's School, and died at an early age.

Ruth's birth between Cleveland's two terms of office caused a national sensation. At a Boston flower show over 40 chrysanthemum varieties were named in her honor. Frances dedicated herself to the child, taking on many of the roles that a woman of her status would have typically given to a nurse. The family did not permit professional photos and expected discretion from amateurs.

In the 1892 United States presidential election Ruth and Benjamin Harrison's grandson, Benjamin Harrison McKee, known as Baby McKee, were drawn into campaign competition. One placard declared: Vote for Papa! A song written about them included the lyrics:

We’re Baby Ruth and Baby McKee,
Lively specimens, you’ll agree
Just as happy as happy can be,
We’ll run the nation’s Presidency!
Which of us wins you’ll very soon see,
Baby Ruth and Baby McKee.

A sickly child, Ruth Cleveland contracted diphtheria on January 2, 1904. Doctors thought her case was mild, but she died of heart failure five days after her diagnosis. She is buried in Princeton Cemetery. Following doctor's advice, Mrs. Cleveland did not attend the funeral; Woodrow Wilson, at the time the president of Princeton University, was present. The family never returned to Gray Gables after Ruth's death.