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
Abigail Fillmore
First Lady: 1850 - 1853
Click the list to watch videos
  • Sarah Polk, Margaret Taylor & Abigail Fillmore Program
  • Edith Mayo: Brief bio of Abigail Fillmore
  • Abigail Fillmore's childhood, education and marriage
  • Bookcase from first White House Library
  • Approach to being First Lady
  • Ill health and death
  • Views on Women's Rights
  • Abigail Fillmore program: Opening clip
  • House in East Aurora, NY
  • Her Health
  • Role as a Teacher
  • Life in Washington
  • Establishing the First White House Library
  • Early Life
  • The First White House Library
  • A Brief Introduction to Abigail Fillmore

Biography

Abigail Fillmore

Millard Fillmore
Historian Bill Seale commented on Mrs. Fillmore: "Before 1850 there had been no permanent library in the White House...Mrs. Fillmore was honored by Congress with a special appropriation for the purchase of books. The act set aside two thousand dollars, specifying that the books be purchased under the president’s direction, but it was generally assumed that Mrs. Fillmore would be in charge."

Born - March 13, 1798 in Stillwater, New York

Parents - Reverend Lemuel Powers & Abigail Newland Powers

Married - February 5, 1826 to Millard Fillmore

Children - Millard Powers (1828 – 1889),
Mary Abigail (1832 – 1854)

Occupation - school teacher

Firsts - 1st First Lady to have a job as a school teacher. Established the 1st library in the White House.

Died - March 30, 1853 in Washington, D.C.

Click here to see full bio of Abigail Fillmore

 
Did You Know Icon Did You Know...
Mrs. Fillmore was an invalid during most of her time in the White House, her daughter, Mary Abigail, helped entertain guests.
Abigail Fillmore was the 1st First Lady to have a job as a school teacher before the White House.
Abigail Fillmore established the first library in the White House.

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