Record #:

10786

Author(s):

Trawick, Gary E.

Abstract:

Dorothy Payne Madison rose from a simple Quaker background to become arguably the most charming and flamboyant First Lady in American history. Born May 20, 1768 in the Quaker community of New Garden (now Guilford College), North Carolina, Dolley's family moved to Virginia shortly after her birth. At age 25, Dolley lost her first husband, John Todd, Jr. and her youngest child to yellow fever. Relocating to Philadelphia and living at her mother's boarding house, Dolley was introduced to Representative James Madison by Senator Aaron Burr. After her marriage to Madison, Dolley served as the White House hostess for the unmarried Thomas Jefferson and for her husband upon his election to the presidency.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 36 Issue 12, Nov 1968, p13, 39, por

Subject(s):

Presidents' spouses--United States--Biography; Madison, Dolly Payne Todd, 1768-1849