The Three Forgotten FIRST LADIES

Following Dolley Madison, there was a big gap in the role of the First Lady

Elizabeth Monroe was a reclusive woman by nature, and her grown daughter was a snobbish substitute. Louisa Adams was in chronic poor health; her husband was unpopular. Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren were both widowers. Widower John Tyler’s second wife Julia Gardiner might have been a shining star if a) she filled the role for more than 8 months, and b) if John Tyler was popular. Sarah Polk was certainly socially competent, but the Polk view of the Presidency itself, and their devout religious inclination made them stodgy.

Then, between 1849-57 came three reluctant and reclusive women, well into middle age when duty called, deeply entrenched in their modest private lives. They were more than happy to relinquish social duties to younger relatives and even happier to avoid the criticism…