Elizabeth Monroe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Monroe
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| First Lady of the United States | |
| In role March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825 |
|
| President | James Monroe |
| Preceded by | Dolley Madison |
| Succeeded by | Louisa Adams |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Elizabeth Kortright
June 30, 1768 New York City, New York, British America |
| Died | September 23, 1830 (aged 62) Oak Hill, Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3, including Eliza and Maria |
| Signature |  |
Elizabeth Monroe (born Kortright; June 30, 1768 – September 23, 1830) was the First Lady of the United States from 1817 to 1825. She was the wife of James Monroe, who was the fifth president of the United States. Elizabeth often had poor health. Because of this, her oldest daughter, Eliza Monroe Hay, often helped with official events at the White House.
Contents
Elizabeth Monroe: Early Life and Family
Her Birth and Family
Elizabeth was born in New York City on June 30, 1768. She was the youngest daughter of Lawrence Kortright and Hannah Kortright. Her father was a rich merchant and helped start the New York Chamber of Commerce. He also owned some ships called privateers during the American Revolutionary War.
Elizabeth learned good manners and grace from a young age. She grew up with four older brothers and sisters. Her mother, Hannah, died in 1777 when Elizabeth was nine years old. Her father never married again.
A Fire in New York
In 1778, a year after her mother died, Elizabeth's family home almost burned down. A big fire damaged many homes near Cruger's Wharf in New York City. Elizabeth, her father, and her siblings were safe.
Courtship and Marriage
Meeting James Monroe
Elizabeth met James Monroe in 1785 in New York City. At that time, James was working in the Continental Congress. People noticed Elizabeth and her sisters because they were very charming.
James, who was 27, married Elizabeth, who was 17, on February 16, 1786. They got married at her father's home in New York City. After a short honeymoon, they lived with her father until James's work in Congress ended. Their first child, Eliza Kortright Monroe, was born in Virginia in December 1786.
Life as an Ambassador's Wife
Living in France
In 1794, President George Washington chose James Monroe to be the United States Minister (like an ambassador) to France. While in Paris, France, Elizabeth became known for her kindness.
During a difficult time in France called the Reign of Terror, Elizabeth helped save Adrienne de La Fayette, the wife of the Marquis de Lafayette. Madame La Fayette was in prison and was in danger of being executed. Elizabeth learned about her situation and helped get her released. The Monroes also helped Thomas Paine, an American citizen, when he was arrested in Paris.
Their daughter Eliza became friends with Hortense de Beauharnais, who was Napoleon's stepdaughter. Both girls went to school together in France. James Monroe was called back from France in 1796.
Governor's Wife and Life in Great Britain
Return to Virginia
After France, the Monroes returned to Virginia, where James became governor. They had a son, James Monroe, Jr., in 1799, but he sadly died in 1801. During this time, Elizabeth started having health problems, which made it hard for her to attend many social events. Their third child, a daughter named Maria Hester Monroe Gouverneur, was born in Virginia in 1802.
Time in Great Britain
In 1803, President Jefferson sent James to be the United States Minister to Great Britain and Spain. Elizabeth found society in Great Britain less welcoming than in France. This might have been because the British were not happy that the U.S. did not join them against France.
In 1804, James also went to France to help buy the Louisiana territory. That same year, the Monroes were invited by Napoleon Bonaparte to his coronation ceremony in Paris.
Back in Virginia and Washington D.C.
The Monroes returned to Virginia in 1807. James Monroe became governor of Virginia again in 1811, but only for a few months. In April 1811, President James Madison made Monroe the Secretary of State.
During the War of 1812, Elizabeth mostly stayed in Virginia at their family homes, Oak Hill and Ashlawn-Highland. The war was going badly, and the British even burned the White House. So, President Madison asked Monroe to also become the Secretary of War in 1814. Monroe held both jobs for a few months. The war ended in February 1815, and Monroe became Secretary of State again. He stayed in that role until March 4, 1817, when he became the new President of the United States.
First Lady of the United States
Elizabeth became First Lady on March 4, 1817, when her husband started his first term as president. The White House was still being rebuilt after the war. So, Elizabeth held the first inaugural ball at their private home. The Monroe family also lived in the Octagon House for a while. They brought furniture from their own homes because the White House had been destroyed.
Her husband was re-elected in 1820, and Elizabeth remained First Lady until March 4, 1825. Elizabeth was admired by many, including General Andrew Jackson. She and her husband also hosted General Lafayette during his visit to America, which was a big event.
Because of Elizabeth's health issues, her daughters often helped with social duties. Historians have studied American first ladies. Elizabeth Monroe is often ranked in the lower half compared to other first ladies. However, she and her husband were seen as a "power couple" by some historians.
Children of Elizabeth and James Monroe
James and Elizabeth had three children:
- Elizabeth ("Eliza") Kortright Monroe Hay (1786–1840): Eliza was born in Virginia. She went to school in Paris, France, when her father was an ambassador there. She married George Hay, a lawyer, in 1808. Their daughter, Hortense, was named after Eliza's childhood friend, Hortense de Beauharnais. Eliza often helped her mother with White House social events. She also showed great kindness during a fever outbreak in Washington, D.C., caring for many sick people. Eliza died in Paris, France, in 1840.
- James Spence Monroe (1799–1800): James Spence was the only son of the Monroes. He died at 16 months old after being sick for several days.
- Maria Hester Monroe Gouverneur (1802–1850): Maria was born in Virginia in 1802. As a baby, she traveled with her parents to London when her father was an ambassador there. She finished school in Philadelphia. In 1820, she married her cousin, Samuel L. Gouverneur, at the White House. This was the first wedding of a president's child at the White House. Only family and close friends were invited. Maria died in 1850 at the age of 48.
Later Life and Legacy
After James Monroe's time as president ended, he and Elizabeth had many debts. They had spent a lot on public service and managing their properties from far away. Monroe sold one of his plantations, Highland, to pay off debts. They moved to Oak Hill in Virginia, which was closer to Washington, D.C.
Elizabeth continued to travel to New York to visit her younger daughter and other friends. She was often sick and had several long illnesses. She even suffered severe burns after falling near a fireplace. Elizabeth died at Oak Hill on September 23, 1830, when she was 62 years old. Her husband died less than a year later.
Elizabeth was first buried at Oak Hill. Later, her husband's remains were moved to Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. Elizabeth's remains were moved there in 1903, and they are buried together.
The United States Mint has a program that honors the first spouses of the United States. A special gold coin and bronze medal were made in Elizabeth Monroe's honor in February 2008.
A dress in the James Monroe Museum shows that Elizabeth was a small woman, not taller than 5 feet. She was also related to President Franklin D. Roosevelt through her mother's family.
See also
In Spanish: Elizabeth Kortright Monroe para niños
