Historic People of Hearst Castle

William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951)
William Randolph Hearst, the man behind Hearst Castle, is an important figure from the twentieth century whose influence extended to publishing, politics, Hollywood, the art world and everyday American life. His power and vision allowed him to pursue one of the most ambitious architectural endeavors in American history, the result of which can be...
Millicent Hearst
March 6, 2002 In 1903 controversial publisher and aspiring politician William Randolph Hearst married 22 year-old Millicent Willson, the daughter of George Willson and Hannah Murray Willson. Following in the footsteps of their father, a moderately successful vaudevillian, Millicent and her older sister Anita performed on the stage in 1897 as “...
Julia Morgan (1872 - 1957)
Julia Morgan was born in San Francisco on January 20, 1872 and grew up in nearby Oakland. She was the second child of Charles Bill and Eliza Parmelee Morgan. Miss Morgan was one of the first women to graduate from University of California at Berkeley with a degree in civil engineering. During her tenure at Berkeley, Morgan developed a keen...
Marion Davies
Marion Davies was born Marion Cecilia Douras in Brooklyn, New York on January 3, 1897. She was the youngest of five children born to Bernard and Rose Douras. Watching her sister achieve success in show business turned Marion's inclinations toward a career in drama early in her life. After leaving school she became a sought-after model for the...
Phoebe Apperson Hearst
Phoebe Apperson Hearst was born 1842 in Franklin County, Missouri. Before marrying 41 year old George Hearst at the age of 19, Miss Apperson worked as a teacher in area schools. Soon after their marriage the couple moved to San Francisco where Phoebe gave birth to their only child, William Randolph in 1863. In 1873 Phoebe took young William on a...
George Hearst (1820-1891)
George Hearst was born and raised in Franklin County, Missouri in 1820. Growing up he received very little in the way of formal education but he did learn a lot about the so-called "lay of the land," particularly in regards to mining. In fact, legend has it that local Indians referred to him as the "boy that the earth talk to." George quickly...