# Helen Herron Taft — Recollections of Full Years character guide > Helen Herron Taft in Recollections of Full Years by Helen Herron Taft. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Nellie, Helen, Helen Taft, Mrs. William Howard Taft, Mrs. Taft **First appearance:** 0002-recollections-of-full-years ## Who they are The narrator and wife who watches history from the Blue Bedroom, chronicling ambition, anxiety, and the human cost of public life with a clear and candid eye. ## In the story ### [Frontispiece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/frontispiece) Identified as the author of the memoir. ### [Recollections of Full Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/recollections-of-full-years) Likely present as a companion and observer throughout the narrated years. ### [Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/i-introduction) Narrator of the chapter; describes her courtship with Taft, their engagement, and wedding trip. ### [II: Cincinnati and Washington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/ii-cincinnati-and-washington) Eagerly embraced the opportunity to go to the Philippines; made preparations and took her three children on the journey. ### [III: To the Philippines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/iii-to-the-philippines) Narrator of the chapter; describes the voyage and her first impressions of the tropics. ### [In Japan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/iv-in-japan) Narrator and central figure, staying in Japan with her children and sister. ### [First Impressions of Manila](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/v-first-impressions-of-manila) Narrator of the chapter; arrives in Manila and describes her new home, the challenges of settling in, and the political situation; hosts dinners to build diverse acquaintances. ### [VI: A Strange Environment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/vi-a-strange-environment) Narrator; describes her first impressions of the stablemen's parientes and the challenges of managing a household in Manila. ### [Days of the Empire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/vii-days-of-the-empire) Describes the suspense of early life in Manila, the disappointment of the missing Christmas box, and participates in the Bataan visit. ### [An Historic Trip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/viii-an-historic-trip) Narrator of the chapter; endured the heat and festivities; became proficient at the rigodon; arranged for the ladies to rest on the Sumner. ### [IX: The Wild Men’s Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/ix-the-wild-men-s-country) Narrator and protagonist; undertakes a horseback expedition through northern Luzon despite being a novice rider. ### [X: Governor Taft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/x-governor-taft) Describes the shock of McKinley's assassination and organizes the reception for the inauguration. ### [XI: A Trip to Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xi-a-trip-to-rome) Narrates the chapter; suffers a nervous breakdown and her mother's death, then later travels to Rome to join her husband after her son's illness. ### [Last Days in the Philippines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xii-last-days-in-the-philippines) Returns to Manila in October; describes the redecorated Malacañan Palace, cholera precautions, and the importation of a cow for fresh milk. ### [Secretary of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xiii-secretary-of-war) Narrator, describes her experiences in Japan, Washington, and Panama as the Secretary's wife. ### [Busy Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xiv-busy-years) Narrator; urges Taft to show more enthusiasm for his campaign; manages family arrangements. ### [XV: A Hurried Trip Around the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xv-a-hurried-trip-around-the-world) Narrates the chapter, describes the campaign and election, accompanies Taft on the world trip, receives gifts in Shanghai, observes the freezing Filipino orchestra. ### [President of the United States](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xvi-president-of-the-united-states) Narrator and First Lady, focused on White House social preparations and managing the inaugural events. ### [The White House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xvii-the-white-house) The narrator and new Mistress of the White House, she implements changes in household management and social usages. ### [Some White House Formalities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xviii-some-white-house-formalities) Narrator; describes her illness, her role as hostess, and her love for garden parties. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/xix-conclusion) Narrates the chapter; packs linen and silver in anticipation of defeat; oversees Charlie's transition to long trousers and Helen's debut. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) Central figure in the illustrations, shown in childhood home, at marriage, in Japanese and Filipina costumes, on the Potomac Drive, and in various official and domestic settings. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/characters/mrs_taft - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/recollections_of_full_years_se/characters