Julia Lathrop

First Chief of US Children's Bureau (1912-1922)

Appears in 1 story

Born: June 29, 1858, Rockford

Died: April 15, 1932

Party: Republican Party

Education: Rockford University, Vassar College

Last updated Nov 2, 2026

Stories

The century that stopped burying babies

New Capabilities

As of May 2026: Died 1932; legacy continues through Maternal and Child Health Bureau

In 1900, one in seven babies born in the United States or United Kingdom died before their first birthday. By 2017, the rate had fallen to roughly 4-6 per 1,000—a decline exceeding 95%. This transformed how families experience childbirth and early childhood.

Updated May 22