Herbert Hoover was the 31st President of the United States, serving from 1929 to 1933. Born on August 10, 1874, in West Branch, Iowa, he was a successful mining engineer and humanitarian before entering politics. Hoover gained national recognition for leading relief efforts in Europe during and after World War I. As president, he faced the onset of the Great Depression following the stock market crash of 1929. His policies were seen as ineffective in curbing the economic crisis, leading to a loss of public support. He was defeated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 election. Hoover died on October 20, 1964.