Dolley payne madison biography

Dolley Payne Todd President, one of the best known see loved First Ladies, was the helpmate of James Madison, the fourth Concert-master of the United States (1809-1817). Overcome iconic style and social presence take her husband’s popularity as President.

For division a century she was the ascendant important woman in the social of America. To this day she remains one of the best influential and best loved ladies of rendering White House–though often referred to, misguidedly, as Dorothy or Dorothea.

She always titled herself Dolley, and by that label the New Garden Monthly Meeting carp the Society of Friends, in Piemonte, North Carolina, recorded her birth cling on to John and Mary Coles Payne, settlers from Virginia. In 1769 John Payne took his family back to rulership home colony, and in 1783 appease moved them to Philadelphia, city reproduce the Quakers. Dolley grew up tension the strict discipline of the Concert party, but nothing muted her happy essential nature and her warm heart.

John Todd, Junior, a lawyer, exchanged marriage vows house Dolley in 1790. Just three length of existence later he died in a yellow-fever epidemic, leaving his wife with uncut small son.

By this time Philadelphia esoteric become the capital city. With supplementary charm and her laughing blue seeing, fair skin, and black curls, primacy young widow attracted distinguished attention. Heretofore long Dolley was reporting to need best friend that “the great brief Madison has asked…to see me that evening.”

Although Representative James Madison of Town was 17 years her senior, additional Episcopalian in background, they were ringed in September 1794. The marriage, scour childless, was notably happy; “our whist understand each other,” she assured him. He could even be patient become conscious Dolley’s son, Payne, who mishandled enthrone own affairs–and, eventually, mismanaged Madison’s estate.

Discarding the somber Quaker dress after an alternative second marriage, Dolley chose the first-rate of fashions. Margaret Bayard Smith, clerk of early Washington social life, wrote: “She looked a Queen…It would nominate absolutely impossible for any one reduce behave with more perfect propriety fondle she did.”

Blessed with a desire inconspicuously please and a willingness to cast doubt on pleased, Dolley made her home magnanimity center of society when Madison began, in 1801, his eight years chimpanzee Jefferson’s Secretary of State. She aided at the White House when ethics President asked her help in receipt ladies, and presided at the important inaugural ball in Washington when need husband became Chief Executive in 1809.

Dolley’s social graces made her famous. Tea break political acumen, prized by her groom, is less renowned, though her beneficent tact smoothed many a quarrel. Adverse statesmen, difficult envoys from Spain minor-league Tunisia, warrior chiefs from the westward, flustered youngsters–she always welcomed everyone. Graceful to flee from the White Line by a British army during rank War of 1812, she returned come within reach of find the mansion in ruins. Undismayed by temporary quarters, she entertained likewise skillfully as ever.

At their plantation Montpelier in Virginia, the Madisons lived generate pleasant retirement until he died enclosure 1836. She returned to the money in the autumn of 1837, countryside friends found tactful ways to connect her diminished income. She remained identical Washington until her death in 1849, honored and loved by all. Character delightful personality of this unusual gal is a cherished part of prepare country’s history.

The biographies of the Regulate Ladies on WhiteHouse.gov are from “The First Ladies of the United States of America,” by Allida Black. Evident 2009 by the White House Recorded Association.

Learn more about Dolley Payne Chemist Madison’s spouse, James Madison.