Lorena Hickok, a pioneering journalist who began her career in 1912, significantly impacted both journalism and her personal life through her relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt. In the new biography “Hick,” author Sarah Miller delves into Hickok’s challenging Midwestern upbringing, her remarkable career in journalism, and the defining connection with Roosevelt that spanned three decades.
Miller was motivated to explore their relationship due to conflicting interpretations of their correspondence—ranging from platonic to romantic. The two women exchanged approximately 3,500 letters from 1932 until Roosevelt’s death in 1962, shedding light on their deep connection. Miller’s analysis leans toward the romantic side, suggesting a friendship filled with love and physical affection, though the nature of their intimacy remains ambiguous.
In her research, Miller highlights a letter from Roosevelt, written just after her husband’s inauguration, expressing her deep attachment to Hickok and revealing her emotional dependency on their bond. Roosevelt affectionately refers to Hickok’s photograph, declaring her love, while also implying secrecy in their intimacy, evident when she utilizes French to express her feelings.
Although some historians, like Doris Kearns Goodwin, recognize the emotional depth of their letters, they urge caution against projecting contemporary interpretations onto past relationships. The idea of “straight-washing” histories often leads to a simplistic view of same-sex friendships, prompting a debate about the true nature of Hickok and Roosevelt’s bond. “Hick” invites readers to reconsider the complexities of their relationship, reflecting on how historical narratives can obscure the multifaceted realities of love and friendship.
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