A 2013 - 2014 original C-SPAN feature series telling the stories of America's First Ladies - from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama -
through conversations with top experts, video tours of historic sites, and questions from C-SPAN's audience.

America's First Ladies — from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama
Dolley Madison
First Lady: 1809 - 1817
Click the list to watch videos
  • Dolley Madison Program
  • Dolley Madison program: Opening clip
  • White House unveiling of Dolley Madison $10 gold coin
  • Panel discussion on First Ladies' Influence
  • Artist discusses portrait of Blue Room
  • Madisons and burning of the White House
  • Setting social precedents
  • Dolley Madison exhibit at Dumbarton House
  • Dolley's sale of Montpelier
  • Life at Montpelier
  • Dolley Madison's Montpelier bedroom
  • Richard Norton Smith on Dolley's personality
  • William Seale on Dolley's son and life after White House
  • Entertaining and political influence
  • White House Red Room
  • Life at Montpelier
  • Dolley Todd House in Philadelphia
  • The Octagon House
  • Dresses at Montpelier
  • Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens & Clifford Sloan on Dolley Madison
  • Life After the White House
  • Religious Background
  • Motherhood
  • Meeting her husband
  • "Calling" on People
  • Role as First Lady
  • Entertaining in the White House
  • A brief introduction of Dolley Madison
  • Dolley Madison and Paul Jennings

Biography

Dolley Madison

James Madison
“And now, dear sister, I must leave this house or the retreating army will make me a prisoner in it by filling up the road I am directed to take. When I shall again write you, or where I shall be tomorrow, I cannot tell!” " Mrs. Madison wrote her sister Lucy, as retreating American troops passed by a few hours before the British burned the White House in 1814.

Born - May 20, 1768 in New Garden Quaker Settlement, North Carolina

Parents - John Payne & Mary Coles Payne

Married - September 15, 1794 to James Madison (first married to John Todd, Jr. in 1790, widowed 1793)

Children - (both from first marriage)
John Payne Todd (1792 – 1852),
William Temple Todd (1793)

Firsts - 1st First Lady to be featured on a silver dollar. During her eulogy, President Zachary Taylor was the first to refer to her as “First Lady.”

Post White House residence - Montpelier, Orange, Virginia; Washington, D.C.

Died - July 12, 1849 in Washington, D.C.

Click here to see full bio of Dolley Madison

 
Did You Know Icon Did You Know...
While her husband served at Secretary of State, Mrs. Madison assisted President Jefferson in entertaining at White House receptions.
Mrs. Madison is credited for saving a portrait of George Washington and other valuable items from the White House before the British army invaded the city in 1814.
Dolley Madison was the 1st First Lady to be featured on a silver dollar.
During Mrs. Madison's eulogy, President Zachary Taylor was the first to refer to her as “First Lady.”

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