Who is dolley madison

He and his family returned to Montpelier, the Madison family plantation in Virginia. When his political ally Thomas Jefferson was elected as the third president of the United States in , however, he asked James to serve as his secretary of state.

Dolley made her presence felt in Washington. Since Jefferson was a widower, he frequently called on the smart and vivacious Dolley to serve as his first lady at official functions. Dolley also contributed to the development and decoration of the White House — the first official presidential residence in the new United States. In , the Democratic-Republican caucus nominated James to succeed Jefferson.

He won two terms in office, serving from to As the British army neared Washington in , Dolley ordered that White House staff save a portrait of Washington from the flames. Dolley fled the city, crossing the Potomac into Virginia. A few days later, she returned to the city, where she continued to host parties, maintaining the social vitality of the badly damaged capital.

In , James retired from public life, and he and Dolley returned to the Montpelier plantation in Virginia. They remained in Virginia until James' death on June 28, The Madisons sold land and mortgaged half of the Montpelier plantation to pay his debts.

She left Todd in charge of Montpelier, but it quickly became apparent that his alcoholism rendered him unable to maintain the plantation properly. While acting as hostess, Madison helped create events worthy of European politicians who expected to attend fine, upscale events. Jefferson depended on Madison to help earn the respect of visitors used to society in London and Paris. She also played a large part in fundraising for the Lewis and Clark Expedition which explored the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase with Sacagawea.

James Madison was elected president in On the evening of his inauguration, Dolley Madison sponsored the first Inaugural Ball. She formed friendships with the wives of important politicians. Through these relationships, Madison was able to influence opinions in favor of her husband and his politics. Madison is most remembered for her actions during the War of This War was fought between the United States and England and their allies.

As the British started to set fire to the city, she stayed behind at the White House to ensure the safe removal of important documents, silver, and art, including a large portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart.

Even though the British burned much of the city, including the White House, Madison continued entertaining in her temporary quarters, now called Dumbarton House, while the White House was repaired. James Madison died in After his death, Madison was forced to sell off much of his property, including Montpelier, to pay off the debts of her son.

After selling Montpelier, Madison moved to Washington, DC in , where she spent the remainder of her life. She continued to entertain and was beloved by politicians and DC residents alike. While there has yet to be a female president, women have played an integral role in shaping the White House Since the White House was first occupied by President John Adams in , influential people and organizations—or those who hoped to Constitutional guidelines for inaugurations are sparse, offering Animals, whether pampered household pets, working livestock, birds, squirrels, or strays, have long been a major part of White House Search WHHA - start typing and then listen for common searches like yours.

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The eldest daughter of Mary Coles and John Payne, she learned such domestic skills as needlework, food storage and managing household help, receiving little formal education outside the home. After Payne emancipated his slaves in and brought the family to Philadelphia, Dolley was exposed to a cosmopolitan existence markedly different from her early years.

She gave birth to sons Payne in and William in , but her domestic tranquility was interrupted that summer when a yellow fever epidemic swept through Philadelphia. Todd lingered in the city for too long to tend to business, a decision that proved fatal when he contracted the disease. Dolley had escaped to a suburban resort with their boys, but William also became infected and died on the same day as his father. While in Philadelphia for sessions of Congress, Virginia Representative James Madison came to notice the attractive young widow who lived near his boardinghouse.

A shy man known more for his intellect than his charm, he asked New York Senator Aaron Burr to arrange an introduction. Subsequently expelled from the Quakers for marrying outside the sect, she discarded her plain clothing and began wearing the fashionable outfits that became an indelible part of her public image. Madison alone. She established the executive mansion as Washington , D. After the British razed the city in , Dolley resumed hosting parties almost immediately after settling in a new residence, a show of determination believed to have helped convince her friends in Congress to vote down a plan to move the capital back to Philadelphia.

When finances started to dwindle, an increasingly frail Madison began preparing his presidential papers with the hope that their sale could provide Dolley with a reliable income.

However, she was ill-prepared for the hardships that followed his death in , a situation exacerbated by the misdeeds of her son.