Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "Dolley Madison" - New World
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| − | Dolley's | + | Dolley's lively outlook on life helped manage her grief through this tragedy. She again started to live life to its fullest. She attended several social gatherings in Philadelphia, which was then the capital of the [[United States]]. It was at one of these gatherings Senator Aaron Burr, of New York, introduced Dolley to Representative [[James Madison]] of Virginia, renowned as the architect of the [[United States]] Constitution. Although Representative [[James Madison]] of Virginia was 17 years her senior, and Episcopalian in background, they were married. The marriage, though childless, was notably happy; "our hearts understand each other," she assured him. He could even be patient with Dolley's son, Payne, who mishandled his own affairs—and, eventually, mismanaged Madison's estate. |
Dolley took to Washington, D.C., society like a duck takes to water, and she was given a golden opportunity when [[Thomas Jefferson]], a widower, asked her to serve as his hostess at [[White House]] social functions. Her extroversion served to enliven the often austere atmosphere of the Jefferson administration, in addition to providing the harmony needed to quell the political tensions. The first eight years Dolley was in Washington, her influence fomented the role she would assume after James was elected president in 1808. | Dolley took to Washington, D.C., society like a duck takes to water, and she was given a golden opportunity when [[Thomas Jefferson]], a widower, asked her to serve as his hostess at [[White House]] social functions. Her extroversion served to enliven the often austere atmosphere of the Jefferson administration, in addition to providing the harmony needed to quell the political tensions. The first eight years Dolley was in Washington, her influence fomented the role she would assume after James was elected president in 1808. | ||
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In 1814 when the British burned and captured Washington, Dolley, having been deserted by the guards posted there for her protection, became a heroine. It was she who packed up the valuables and papers, as well as the famous painting of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, placed them in wagons and sent them to secure locations, getting out just in time herself. She spent the next three days in Virginia, trying to find her husband, and finally returning to Washington on foot, to find the charred capital. | In 1814 when the British burned and captured Washington, Dolley, having been deserted by the guards posted there for her protection, became a heroine. It was she who packed up the valuables and papers, as well as the famous painting of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, placed them in wagons and sent them to secure locations, getting out just in time herself. She spent the next three days in Virginia, trying to find her husband, and finally returning to Washington on foot, to find the charred capital. | ||
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| + | ==Later Life== | ||
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| + | With the conclusion of his second term in 1817, James and Dolley retired to Montpelier. Life on the plantation proved vibrant as Dolley continued to entertain guests as before. However, the prodigality of her son John, with whom both she and James were always too lenient, brought them financial problems. On June 28, 1836, James Madison died at the age of 85. Though childless, their 42-year marriage had been a remarkably blissful and happy one. Unfortunately, John Payne Todd's spending habits soon reduced his mother almost to poverty. This forced Dolley to sell both James's Continental Papers and Montpelier to pay the creditors. In 1837, Dolley returned to Washington and resumed her former status in the social life there. Dolley frequented numerous social and political events and was beloved by all. On July 12, 1849, Dolley Madison died in Washington at age 81. She was buried in the Congressional Cemetery with all the Washington dignitaries attending. Later her remains were moved to Montpelier next to her husband's. | ||
Revision as of 16:56, 10 October 2006
Dorothea "Dolley" Payne Todd Madison (May 20, 1768 – July 12, 1849), wife of President James Madison, who served from 1809 until 1817. She also occasionally acted as what is now described as First Lady of the United States during the administration of Thomas Jefferson - fulfilling the ceremonial functions more usually associated with the President's wife, since Jefferson was a widower. Dolley Madison was especially noted for her graciousness and charm as hostess during her husband's presidency. She was also her husband's confidante and adviser.
Early Life
She was born in New Garden, a Quaker community in what is today Guilford County, North Carolina, on May 20, 1768, a daughter of John Payne, a not-too-successful farmer and erstwhile starch manufacturer, and his wife, Mary Coles. Dolley grew up in the strict discipline of the Society, but nothing muted her happy personality and her warm heart. She spent her teenage years in Philadelphia and attended Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
On January 7, 1790 in Philadelphia, she married John Todd, Jr., a lawyer who was instrumental in keeping her father out of bankruptcy and who found Mary Payne a position as the manager of a boarding house. The couple had two sons, John Payne and William Temple. Her husband and their younger child died in 1793 in a yellow fever epidemic.
First Lady
Dolley's lively outlook on life helped manage her grief through this tragedy. She again started to live life to its fullest. She attended several social gatherings in Philadelphia, which was then the capital of the United States. It was at one of these gatherings Senator Aaron Burr, of New York, introduced Dolley to Representative James Madison of Virginia, renowned as the architect of the United States Constitution. Although Representative James Madison of Virginia was 17 years her senior, and Episcopalian in background, they were married. The marriage, though childless, was notably happy; "our hearts understand each other," she assured him. He could even be patient with Dolley's son, Payne, who mishandled his own affairs—and, eventually, mismanaged Madison's estate. Dolley took to Washington, D.C., society like a duck takes to water, and she was given a golden opportunity when Thomas Jefferson, a widower, asked her to serve as his hostess at White House social functions. Her extroversion served to enliven the often austere atmosphere of the Jefferson administration, in addition to providing the harmony needed to quell the political tensions. The first eight years Dolley was in Washington, her influence fomented the role she would assume after James was elected president in 1808.
Once Dolley Madison became first lady in 1809, her status as the central figure of Washington society was confirmed. The vivacious Dolley's expansive memory for names and ability to make everyone at home in the White House attracted guests by the many. Her lavish dinner parties were noted for the surprise delicacies served. She began holding Wednesday evening "drawing rooms" (receptions) that became immensely popular with politicians, diplomats, and the citizenry. Not only was Dolley renowned for her charm, but her knowledge of politics and current events was significant as well. She proved an asset to James's political career in two ways: her outgoing demeanor complimented his reserved and stonefaced disposition and her political insight influenced his decision-making. Undoubtedly, Dolley was one of the reasons James won reelection in 1812.
British Invasion
In 1814 when the British burned and captured Washington, Dolley, having been deserted by the guards posted there for her protection, became a heroine. It was she who packed up the valuables and papers, as well as the famous painting of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, placed them in wagons and sent them to secure locations, getting out just in time herself. She spent the next three days in Virginia, trying to find her husband, and finally returning to Washington on foot, to find the charred capital.
Later Life
With the conclusion of his second term in 1817, James and Dolley retired to Montpelier. Life on the plantation proved vibrant as Dolley continued to entertain guests as before. However, the prodigality of her son John, with whom both she and James were always too lenient, brought them financial problems. On June 28, 1836, James Madison died at the age of 85. Though childless, their 42-year marriage had been a remarkably blissful and happy one. Unfortunately, John Payne Todd's spending habits soon reduced his mother almost to poverty. This forced Dolley to sell both James's Continental Papers and Montpelier to pay the creditors. In 1837, Dolley returned to Washington and resumed her former status in the social life there. Dolley frequented numerous social and political events and was beloved by all. On July 12, 1849, Dolley Madison died in Washington at age 81. She was buried in the Congressional Cemetery with all the Washington dignitaries attending. Later her remains were moved to Montpelier next to her husband's.
| Preceded by: Martha Jefferson Randolph |
First Lady of the United States 1809–1817 |
Succeeded by: Elizabeth Kortright Monroe |
Notes
Further reading
- The Dolley Madison Project - The life, legacy, and letters of Dolley Payne Madison
- The Dolley Madison Digital Edition - The online correspondence of Dolley Payne Madison
- Allgor, Catherine. Parlor Politics: In Which the Ladies of Washington Help Build a City and a Government. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000.
- Allgor, Catherine. A Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation. New York: Henry Holt, 2005.
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