Adrian B. Tolley
Cite this Page
"Adrian B. Tolley," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/715.
- Position
- Calligrapher
- Years in President's House
- 1915 – 1960
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
- Adrian Barclay Tolley was born in Converse, Indiana, on March 11, 1893.(1) He began working as a calligrapher for the White House in 1915 to help prepare for President Woodrow Wilson’s marriage to Edith Bolling Galt; Tolley was the first person to officially hold this role.(2) From 1915 to 1940, Tolley was employed by various government offices but worked with the White House to address invitations for events using his expert penmanship.(3) In 1940, the United States Census listed Adrian as the chief of the White House Social Bureau where he made $4,750.(4) In 1960, Tolley retired from his position and was succeeded by Stanford L. Fox.(5) Tolley died on May 25, 1966, and was buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Washington, D.C.(6)
- (1)“Adrian Barclay Tolley in the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/23899856:6482?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX334&_phstart=successSource
(2) “Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(3)See Washington D.C. City Directories for the following years; 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1928, 1930, 1933, 1936, 1938
“Official Calligrapher of the White House Honored,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 25 Oct. 1931. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1931-10-25/ed-1/seq-47/
(4)“Adrian B. Dolley in the 1940 United States Federal Census,”
(5)“Adrian Tolley is Retiring,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 30 Dec. 1960. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
“Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(6)“Adrian B Tolley in the District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013,” Ancestry.com. District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/45235:61905?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX344&_phstart=successSource(1)“Adrian Barclay Tolley in the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/23899856:6482?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX334&_phstart=successSource
(2) “Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(3)See Washington D.C. City Directories for the following years; 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1928, 1930, 1933, 1936, 1938
“Official Calligrapher of the White House Honored,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 25 Oct. 1931. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1931-10-25/ed-1/seq-47/
(4)“Adrian B. Dolley in the 1940 United States Federal Census,”
(5)“Adrian Tolley is Retiring,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 30 Dec. 1960. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
“Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(6)“Adrian B Tolley in the District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013,” Ancestry.com. District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/45235:61905?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX344&_phstart=successSource(1)“Adrian Barclay Tolley in the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/23899856:6482?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX334&_phstart=successSource
(2) “Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(3)See Washington D.C. City Directories for the following years; 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1928, 1930, 1933, 1936, 1938
“Official Calligrapher of the White House Honored,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 25 Oct. 1931. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1931-10-25/ed-1/seq-47/
(4)“Adrian B. Dolley in the 1940 United States Federal Census,”
(5)“Adrian Tolley is Retiring,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 30 Dec. 1960. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
“Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(6)“Adrian B Tolley in the District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013,” Ancestry.com. District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/45235:61905?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX344&_phstart=successSource(1)“Adrian Barclay Tolley in the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/23899856:6482?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX334&_phstart=successSource
(2) “Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(3)See Washington D.C. City Directories for the following years; 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1928, 1930, 1933, 1936, 1938
“Official Calligrapher of the White House Honored,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 25 Oct. 1931. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1931-10-25/ed-1/seq-47/
(4)“Adrian B. Dolley in the 1940 United States Federal Census,”
(5)“Adrian Tolley is Retiring,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 30 Dec. 1960. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
“Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(6)“Adrian B Tolley in the District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013,” Ancestry.com. District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/45235:61905?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX344&_phstart=successSource(1)“Adrian Barclay Tolley in the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/23899856:6482?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX334&_phstart=successSource
(2) “Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(3)See Washington D.C. City Directories for the following years; 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1928, 1930, 1933, 1936, 1938
“Official Calligrapher of the White House Honored,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 25 Oct. 1931. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1931-10-25/ed-1/seq-47/
(4)“Adrian B. Dolley in the 1940 United States Federal Census,”
(5)“Adrian Tolley is Retiring,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 30 Dec. 1960. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
“Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(6)“Adrian B Tolley in the District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013,” Ancestry.com. District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/45235:61905?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX344&_phstart=successSource(1)“Adrian Barclay Tolley in the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/23899856:6482?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX334&_phstart=successSource
(2) “Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(3)See Washington D.C. City Directories for the following years; 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1928, 1930, 1933, 1936, 1938
“Official Calligrapher of the White House Honored,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 25 Oct. 1931. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1931-10-25/ed-1/seq-47/
(4)“Adrian B. Dolley in the 1940 United States Federal Census,”
(5)“Adrian Tolley is Retiring,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 30 Dec. 1960. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
“Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(6)“Adrian B Tolley in the District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013,” Ancestry.com. District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/45235:61905?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX344&_phstart=successSource(1)“Adrian Barclay Tolley in the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/23899856:6482?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX334&_phstart=successSource
(2) “Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(3)See Washington D.C. City Directories for the following years; 1915, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1928, 1930, 1933, 1936, 1938
“Official Calligrapher of the White House Honored,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 25 Oct. 1931. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1931-10-25/ed-1/seq-47/
(4)“Adrian B. Dolley in the 1940 United States Federal Census,”
(5)“Adrian Tolley is Retiring,” Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 30 Dec. 1960. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
“Exit Interview with Sanford L. Fox,” Conducted by Office of Presidential Papers and Archives
September 27, 1974, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/exitinterviews/fox-exit.pdf, 1.
(6)“Adrian B Tolley in the District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013,” Ancestry.com. District of Columbia, U.S., Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/45235:61905?tid=&pid=&queryId=0a5d45bd73b699d1e128f607d5bb3f0b&_phsrc=KGX344&_phstart=successSource - Birthplace
- Converse, Indiana, USA
- Related Worker
- Sanford L. FoxCalligraphers, 1952 – 1974