A Companion to First Ladies E-Book

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Serie: Blackwell Companions to American History
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 2201

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Beschreibung

This volume explores more than two centuries of literature on the First Ladies, from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama, providing the first historiographical overview of these important women in U.S. history.

• Underlines the growing scholarly appreciation of the First Ladies and the evolution of the position since the 18th century
• Explores the impact of these women not only on White House responsibilities, but on elections, presidential policies, social causes, and in shaping their husbands’ legacies
• Brings the First Ladies into crisp historiographical focus, assessing how these women and their contributions have been perceived both in popular literature and scholarly debate
• Provides concise biographical treatments for each First Lady

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Notes on Contributors

Acknowledgements

Introduction

References

Further Reading

Chapter One: Martha Washington

Young Martha

Mrs. Custis

Domestic Tranquility

Heroine of the Revolution

The First First Lady

Serving the New Nation

Worthy Partner

Scholarship on Martha Washington

References

Further Reading

Chapter Two: Abigail Adams

“The Best of Women”: The Life of Abigail

“My Pen Is My Only Pleasure”: Abigail’s Letters

“A Life I Know You Value”: Biographies

References

Further Reading

Chapter Three: Martha Jefferson Randolph, First Daughter

Introduction

Why Martha?

Becoming First Daughter

“Brightest Part of Life”

A Life of Public Service

Letters to Fill a Heart

The Revolution of 1800

Culture in Formation

“A Flying Visit”

A “Most Disastrous Journey”

Conclusion

References

Further Reading

Chapter Four: James and Dolley Madison and the Quest for Unity

A Glorious Retirement

Personality as Policy

The Problem of Unity

Quaker to Queen

Coming together in Washington City

Access to the Unofficial Sphere

Mrs. Madison’s War

A Model for the Future

References

Further Reading

Chapter Five: Elizabeth Monroe

Life before the White House

Elizabeth as First Lady

After the White House

Conclusion

References

Further Reading

Chapter Six: A Monarch in a Republic

A Woman “Who Was”

“Miss Proud”

“A Fine Lady”

A Republican in a Monarchy

“Affairs of High Importance”

“All are Gone to Mrs. Adams”

References

Further Reading

Chapter Seven: Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson

The Sprightly Pioneer Woman Who Sparked a Political Storm

Emily Tennessee Donelson: The Besieged White House Hostess

Sarah Yorke Jackson: From Mistress of the Hermitage to White House Hostess

Conclusion

References

Chapter Eight: Angelica Singleton Van Buren, First Lady for a Widower

References

Further Reading

Chapter Nine: The Ladies of Tippecanoe, and Tyler Too

Anna Harrison

Letitia Tyler

Julia Gardiner Tyler

References

Chapter Ten: Sarah Polk

The Education of Sarah Childress

Courtship, Marriage, and Family

Sarah Goes to Washington

The Polks Head to the White House

The Death of Two Political Careers

Sarah Polk’s Legacy

References

Chapter Eleven: Margaret Taylor, Abigail Fillmore, and Jane Pierce

Margaret Taylor’s Biography

The Taylor Presidency

Abigail Fillmore’s Biography

The Fillmore Presidency

Jane Pierce’s Biography

The Pierce Presidency

Studies on the Three First Ladies

Conclusion

References

Further Reading

Chapter Twelve: Harriet Rebecca Lane Johnston

References

Further Reading

Chapter Thirteen: Mary Todd Lincoln

Introduction

Origins: A Southern

Belle

Who Went West on a Mission

The Lincoln Marriage: Mutual Political Ambition

Mary as First Lady: Changing the Role

Conclusions

References

Further Reading

Chapter Fourteen: Eliza McCardle Johnson and Julia Dent Grant

Eliza McCardle Johnson

Julia Dent Grant

References

Further Reading

Chapter Fifteen: Lucy Webb Hayes, Lucretia Rudolph Garfield, and Mary Arthur McElroy

Lucy Webb Hayes