The blue-eyed, black-haired young widow had many suitors, but the "great little Madison," 17 years older than she, won her. She supplied all the social graces that her brilliant but quiet husband lacked.
The 8 years of Madison's presidency were filled with colorful parties and receptions. Mrs. Madison seemed able to make everyone feel at home. She remembered the names and faces of everyone she met.
Madison's second term in office saw the troubled years of the War of 1812. When the British attacked Washington, Mrs. Madison was one of the last people to leave the White House. Before she fled to safety, she packed trunks of important state papers and rescued the famous @Gilbert @Stuart painting of George Washington, which hung in the White House.
Unlike Martha Washington and Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison thoroughly enjoyed being first lady. She loved Washington and never wanted to be any other place. In her later years, when she was a widow with little money, she remained "Queen Dolley" to her many friends. The most important men in Washington came to her home to pay their respects.
Beautiful @Elizabeth @Kortright of New York City was 17 when she married James @Monroe, a Virginia lawyer. She spent much of her early married life in various capitals in @Europe, where her husband served as United States representative.
The @Monroes were very popular in @France, where the graceful, blue-eyed Mrs. Monroe was known as la belle @AmΘricaine ("the beautiful American"). She played a dramatic part in saving @Madame @Lafayette, the wife of America's great friend, the @Marquis de Lafayette, from the guillotine during the @French @Revolution. Riding in the official carriage of the United States legation, she went to the Paris prison in which Madame Lafayette was awaiting execution. Mrs. Monroe demanded to see the prisoner. This action demonstrated the interest of the United States in the case. Madame Lafayette was released soon after.
Although she was a good hostess, Mrs. Monroe's years as first lady were not completely successful. A combination of poor health and a desire for privacy caused her to limit her social activities. And Washington society, accustomed to Dolley Madison's lavish hospitality, was critical of Madison's successor. In time the unpleasantness passed, but the Monroes were pleased to return to their lovely home in Virginia after 8 years in the White House.
Their younger child, Maria, was the first president's daughter to be married in the White House.
