Henrietta Buckler Seiberling

Henrietta Buckler Seiberling
Born March 18, 1888
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Died December 5, 1979(1979-12-05) (aged 91)
New York City, New York
Alma mater Vassar College

Henrietta Buckler Seiberling (March 18, 1888 – December 5, 1979) was a member of a Christian Fellowship group named the Oxford group. She and others of the Oxford group founded Alcoholics Anonymous.

Early life

Born in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky to Judge Julius A. Buckler and Mary Maddox, Seiberling spent her childhood in Texas. She remained in Texas until she went to Vassar College to receive her A.B. degree with a major in music and a minor in psychology, as she was a gifted pianist.[1] While serving as a lieutenant in the Ohio National Guard, she met her husband Fredrick Seiberling. They married in 1917 in Akron, Ohio, and had three children.[2][3]

Career

Though Seiberling herself was not an alcoholic, she believed as a Christian that it was her responsibility to solve social problems. Seiberling began the “alcoholic squad,” or the first version of Alcoholics Anonymous. In their first case, Dr. Bob Smith admitted that he was a secret drinker, marking the first time the Akron Oxford Group prayed together to help someone through alcoholism.[4] Although the majority of the Seiberling family were members at a Lutheran church near their house, she was not. Seiberling was more of a "student of the bible," rather than a "church-goer."[5]

The Oxford Group came along when Henrietta’s marriage to Fredrick Seiberling was crumbling. Her daughter Dorthy said that “It gave her a new focus, and helped her see that there was more to life than marital problems.”[6] Henrietta grew closer to Bob and Ann Smith, and would call Ann everyday to talk about the comfort they both received through the Oxford Group.[6]

Seiberling was very involved in the development of early Alcoholics Anonymous. Seiberling helped by teaching alcoholics about the Bible, Christianity, and God. Seiberling "called the shots" at many of the early Akron meetings. She would continuously lead the meetings with Bible study and by conferring with the alcoholics.[7]

Personal life

Her son, John F. Seiberling, was a Representative in the United States Congress from Ohio and a member of the Democratic party. Seiberling also had 2 daughters, Mary S. Huhn and Dorothy Seiberling Steinberg, who was a deputy editor for the New York Times Magazine.[8]

Death and legacy

Seiberling died in New York City on December 5, 1979. On her gravestone is an inscription familiar to both the Oxford Group people and to the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous: "Let God and Let Go."[9]

References

  1. ↑ "A Founder of Alcoholics Anonymous". The Washington Post. 8 December 1979. Retrieved 9 February 2017 – via ProQuest.
  2. ↑ "American National Biography Online". www.anb.org. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
  3. ↑ "BRIDE OF LIEUT. SEIBERLING.: Miss Henrietta N. Buckler of New York Weds in Akron, Ohio". The New York Times. 12 October 1917. Retrieved 9 February 2017 – via ProQuest.
  4. ↑ "Henrietta Buckler Seiberling, 1888-1979 | Akron Women's History". blogs.uakron.edu. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
  5. ↑ Nelson, Daniel (2009). A Passion for the Land. Kent, Ohio, USA: The Kent State University Press. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-60635-036-2.
  6. 1 2 Robertson, Nan (1988). Getting Better. New York, NY: William Morrow and Company. pp. 51–52.
  7. ↑ B, Dick (2006-06-30). When Early Aas Were Cured And Why. Good Book Publishing Company. ISBN 9781885803948.
  8. ↑ "Henrietta Seiberling, 91, One of Founders of A.A." The New York Times. December 6, 1979. Retrieved January 26, 2017 – via ProQuest.
  9. ↑ B, Dick (2011-12-01). The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous. First Edition Design Pub. ISBN 9781937520397.
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