Arthur W. Jackson
Cite this Page
"Arthur W. Jackson," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/648.
- Positions
- Doorkeeper
- Butler
- Years in President's House
- circa 1939 – 1940
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Presidency
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Biography
- Arthur Washington Jackson was born on April 13, 1910, in Washington, D.C. (1) His father Samuel C. Jackson was a longtime doorman and messenger at the White House and likely played a role in Arthur’s employment there. As early as 1939, during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, Arthur Jackson worked as a doorman, assisting with the flow of visitors onsite. (2) He and Head Butler Alonzo Fields organized the staff to campaign for an eight-hour workday and compensatory time off for overtime work; their efforts were successful and the Roosevelts agreed to the improved work conditions. (3) Jackson is documented on staff through at least 1940; Jackson likely worked beyond that date, but documentation is limited at this time. (4) He passed away on July 30, 2000. (5)
- (1) Arthur Washington Jackson in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For District of Columbia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 115, Ancestry.com.
(2) “Jackson, White House Doorman, Retires at 75,” Chicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois), January 3, 1951, pg. 8; Arthur Washington Jackson in the Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014, Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia, Marriages, 1936-2014; Roll: 101167182, Ancestry.com.
(3) Alonzo Fields quoted in Wendell G. Garrett, Our Changing White House (Boston: Northeastern University Press, 1995), pg. 205.
(4) “Colored Regular Employees of the White House Christmas, 1940," Folder: Christmas Subject File, Grace Tully Papers, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York; Arthur Washington Jackson in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For District of Columbia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 115, Ancestry.com.
(5) Arthur W. Jackson in the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File, Ancestry.com. - Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA
- Related Workers
- Samuel C. JacksonUshers, Stewards, and Doorkeepers, Housekeeping and Laundry, Operations, Facilities, & Events, 1909 – 1951
- Alonzo FieldsKitchen, Dining Room, Pantry, and Storeroom, 1931 – 1953