Albert E. Oliphant
Cite this Page
"Albert E. Oliphant," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/481.
- Positions
- Florist
- Gardener
- Years in President's House
- 1881 – 1915
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
- Albert E. Oliphant was born in Washington, D.C. on September 7, 1860 to Scottish parents.1 According to his obituary, he began working at the White House on October 1, 1881 as a gardener, florist (bouquet maker), and laborer; in particular, he supervised the flower beds, and “made up thousands of bunches of flowers for White House receptions in several administrations.”2 He was later promoted to foreman of the White House Grounds, overseeing the team of gardeners working on site and supervising the planting of flower beds.3 Oliphant remained on staff until his passing on June 29, 1915 and was buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Washington, D.C.4
- “Albert Edward Oliphant,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/153368201/albert-edward-oliphant; in the 1900 United States Federal Census, Year: 1900; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: 158; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0006, Ancestry.com.
- “Greenhouse and Grounds, Executive Mansion, Washington. D.C.,” August 23, 1888, National Archives and Records Administration, White House Historical Association, https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/the-working-white-house-list-of-workers; “News in Brief,” Washington Post, June 30, 1915, pg. 5; “Foreman of White House Grounds Employee Dead,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), June 29, 1915, pg. 12; “Cost of Blooms for White House,” Richmond Times-Dispatch (Virginia), March 5, 1913, pg. 15.
- Ibid.
- “Albert Edward Oliphant,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/153368201/albert-edward-oliphant; “Florist of the White House Dies After Long Illness,” Times Herald (Washington, D.C.), June 29, 1915, pg. 1.
- Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA
- Glenwood Cemetery