Phoebe Apperson Hearst was born 1842 in Franklin County,
Missouri. Before marrying 41 year old George Hearst at the age
of 19, Miss Apperson worked as a teacher in area schools.   When
George Hearst was elected to the United States Senate in 1887,
the couple relocated to Washington D.C. where Phoebe entertained
many guests and statesman. Four years later, Phoebe became the
sole heir to her husband’s valuable estate upon his death in
1891.  After George’s death, Phoebe again returned to California
and renewed construction on a palatial residence in Pleasanton,
California that had been started by her son a few years earlier.
For the project, Mrs. Hearst commissioned Julia Morgan as
architect. She would later become the architect behind Hearst
Castle.  Throughout her life, Phoebe was dedicated to education
and, when her financial status allowed her to, she became a
generous philanthropist of various educational endeavors. As
early as 1891, she made a large gift to the University of
California, Berkeley in order