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Elizabeth Monroe
	Elizabeth Monroe
	;
5th First Lady of the United States
	In office; March 4, 1817 – March 3, 1825
Preceded by	Dolley Madison
Succeeded by	Louisa Adams
Born	June 30, 1768; New York, New York
Died	September 23, 1830 (aged 62); Richmond, Virginia
Spouse(s)	James Monroe
Children	Eliza Kortright Monroe-Hay; James Spence Monroe; Maria Hester Monroe-Gouverneur
Occupation	First Lady of the United States
Signature

Elizabeth Kortright Monroe (June 30, 1768 – September 23, 1830) was the wife of James Monroe, fifth President of the United States.

[edit] Early Life and Marriage

Born in New York in 1768, Elizabeth was the daughter of Lawrence Kortright, an officer in the British army who had made a fortune privateering during the French and Indian War, and Hannah Aspinwall. She acquired social grace and elegance at an early age. A statuesque beauty with raven hair and blue eyes, she first caught Monroe's attention in 1785 while he was in New York serving as a member of the Continental Congress. James, aged twenty-seven, married Elizabeth, aged seventeen, on February 16, 1786, in New York City.

After a brief honeymoon on Long Island, the newlyweds returned to New York to live with her father until Congress adjourned. In 1794, James was appointed United States Minister to France by President George Washington. In Paris, as wife of the American Minister during the Reign of Terror, she helped secure the release of Madame La Fayette, wife of the Marquis de Lafayette when she learned of her imprisonment and threatened death by guillotine.

[edit] Children

James and Elizabeth had three children:

Eliza Kortright Monroe-Hay (1787 - 1835) was educated at the exclusive French school of Madame Jeanne Campan (former lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette), while her father was Minister to France. Eliza appeared to many a haughty, pompous socialite, quick to remind others of her good breeding and lofty station. In 1808 she married George Hay, a prominent Virginia attorney who had served as prosecutor in the trial of Aaron Burr. He later ran his father-in-law's campaign in Virginia and was appointed a federal judge by President John Quincy Adams. During the Monroe administration, Eliza often substituted as official White House hostess for her ailing mother. Eliza soon alienated most of Washington society for her refusal to call on wives of the diplomatic corps, as was the custom. She caused another social furor in closing her sister's wedding to all but family and friends. For all her apparent vanity, however, she demonstrated genuine compassion during the fever epidemic that swept Washington during Monroe's term. She spent many sleepless nights selflessly caring for victims. Following the deaths of her husband and father, she moved to Paris, converted to Catholicism and lived in a convent.

Maria Hester Monroe-Gouverneur (1803 - 1850) was still a child when her father was elected president. Maria finished school in Philadelphia before moving into the White House in 1819. On March 9, 1820, she married her first cousin, Samuel L. Gouverneur, in the first wedding ever performed at the White House. Many in Washington criticized the Monroes for keeping the wedding private; just 42 members of the family and close friends were invited. Friction between Maria's husband and her outspoken sister strained family relations thereafter. The Gouverneurs moved to New York City. Former President Monroe, upon losing his wife in 1830, moved in with them. President John Quincy Adams appointed her husband postmaster of New York City.

James Spence Monroe

[edit] Death and Legacy

Although Elizabeth Monroe regained a measure of respect and admiration during her husband's second term, she compared poorly to her predecessor, Dolley Madison, who had captivated Washington society, setting a standard by which future First Ladies long were measured.

Retiring sickly and suffering several long illnesses, Elizabeth died on September 23, 1830 aged 62, at her home, Oak Hill. She was interred at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

The First Spouse Program under the Presidential $1 Coin Act authorizes the United States Mint to issue 1/2 ounce $10 gold coins and bronze medal duplicates^[1] to honor the first spouses of the United States. Elizabeth Monroe's coin was released in February 2008.

Obverse

Reverse

Obverse (bronze medal)

Reverse (bronze medal)

[edit] See also

Oak Hill Plantation - home of James and Elizabeth Monroe

[edit] References

^ U.S. Mint: First Spouse Program. Accessed 2008-06-27. "The United States Mint also produces and make available to the public bronze medal duplicates of the First Spouse Gold Coins."

[edit] External links

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/em5.html

Honorary titles
Preceded by Dolley Madison	First Lady of the United States 1817 – 1825	Succeeded by Louisa Adams

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[0] U.S. Mint: First Spouse Program. Accessed 2008-06-27. "The United States Mint also produces and make available to the public bronze medal duplicates of the First Spouse Gold Coins."

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