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Elizabeth Monroe (née Kortright; June 30, 1768 – September 23, 1830) was the first lady of the United States from 1817 to 1825, as the wife of James Monroe, fifth president of the United States. Due to the fragile condition of Monroe's health, many of her duties as the official White House hostess were assumed by her eldest daughter, Eliza Monroe Hay.

Key Information

Birth, parents, and childhood (1768–1778)

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Monroe was born in New York City on June 30, 1768, the youngest daughter[1] of Lawrence Kortright, a wealthy merchant, and Hannah (née Aspinwall) Kortright.[2] Elizabeth Monroe's paternal second great grandfather, Cornelius Jansen Kortright, was born in Holland, Netherlands, in 1645, and immigrated to New York in the year of 1663. His father, Jan Bastiaenson Van Kortrijk, was also born in Holland, Netherlands in 1618 and immigrated with his son to New York. Jan Bastiaenson's father, Bastiaen Van Kortrijk, was born in the city of Kortrijk in Flanders, Spanish Netherlands, in 1586, and immigrated to Holland, Netherlands, in 1615. Monroe's father was one of the founders of the New York Chamber of Commerce. During the American Revolutionary War, he was part owner of several privateers fitted out at New York, and it has also been documented that he enslaved at least four Black people.[3] He purchased land tracts in what is now Delaware County, New York, and from the sale of this land the town of Kortright, New York, was formed.

Monroe grew up in a household with four older siblings: Sarah, Hester, John and Mary.[2] According to the parish records of Trinity Church, New York, Monroe's mother, Hannah, died on September 6 or 7, 1777, at the age of 39. The cause of death was recorded as resulting from childbed.[4] An unidentified sibling of Monroe's, aged 13 months, succumbed to flux and fever a few days later. Hannah and the infant were both buried at St. George's Chapel in New York.[5] At the time of their deaths, Monroe was nine years old. Her father never remarried.

On August 3, 1778, almost a year after the death of Monroe's mother, the home of the Lawrence Kortright family was nearly destroyed by fire[6] during a blaze which caused damage and destruction to fifty homes near Cruger's Wharf in lower Manhattan. A historian later wrote that this blaze was due to the mismanagement of British troops while directing the firefighters.[7] Monroe, age 10, with her father and siblings, survived the fire unscathed.

Courtship and marriage (1785–1786)

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Kortright first caught the attention of James Monroe in 1785 while he was in New York City serving as a member of the Continental Congress. William Grayson, James Monroe's cousin and fellow Congressman from Virginia, described Elizabeth and her sisters as having "made so brilliant and lovely an appearance" at a theater one evening, "as to depopulate all the other boxes of all the genteel male people therein."[8]

James Monroe, then 27 years old, married Elizabeth, then 17 years old, on February 16, 1786, at her father's home in New York City.[1] The marriage was performed by Reverend Benjamin Moore, and recorded in the parish records of Trinity Church, New York.[9] After a brief honeymoon on Long Island, the newlyweds returned to New York City to live with her father until Congress adjourned. Their first child, whom they named Eliza Kortright Monroe, was born in December, 1786, in Virginia.[10]

Ambassador's wife (1794–1796)

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In 1794, George Washington appointed James as United States Minister to France. 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 she was imprisoned and scheduled to be executed by guillotine. The Monroes also provided support and shelter to the American citizen Thomas Paine in Paris, after he was arrested for his opposition to the execution of Louis XVI. While in France, the Monroes' daughter Eliza became a friend of Hortense de Beauharnais, step-daughter of Napoleon, and both girls received their education in the school of Madame Jeanne Campan. James was recalled from his Ambassadorship in 1796, due in part to his support of France in the opposition of the Jay Treaty.

Governor's wife (1799–1802)

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The Monroes returned to Virginia, where James became governor, and Elizabeth became First Lady of Virginia. The couple's son, James Spence, was born in 1799 but died in 1800. During this time, Elizabeth suffered the first of a series of seizures and collapses that were possibly a product of epilepsy, which plagued her for the rest of her life and gradually caused her to restrict her social activities.[11] The Monroe's third child, a daughter they named Maria Hester, was born in Virginia in early 1802.[12]

Great Britain (1803–1804)

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In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson appointed James as United States Minister to Great Britain and Spain. Elizabeth found the social climate in London less favorable than it had been in Paris, possibly because British society resented the United States' refusal to aid it in its conflict with France. In 1804, James was sent as a special envoy to France to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase. That same year, the Monroes were invited by Napoleon Bonaparte to attend his coronation in Paris, as part of the official American delegation.

Return to Virginia and Washington (1807–1817)

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The Monroes returned to Virginia in 1807. James Monroe won election and returned to the Virginia House of Delegates, and also resumed his legal career. In 1811, Monroe won election to another term as governor of Virginia, but served only four months. In April 1811, his friend President James Madison appointed Monroe Secretary of State, and he was confirmed to the position by the United States Senate. Monroe had little to do with the War of 1812, since President Madison and the war hawks in Congress were dominant. During the War, Elizabeth stayed primarily at the Monroe family estates at Oak Hill in Loudoun County, Virginia, and later at Ashlawn-Highland in Albemarle County, Virginia.

The war went very badly, so Madison turned to Monroe for help, appointing him United States Secretary of War in September 1814 after the Burning of Washington by the British, who had captured the national capital and burned the White House. Monroe resigned as Secretary of State on October 1 but no successor was ever appointed, so he handled both offices from October 1, 1814 to February 28, 1815. As Secretary of War, Monroe formulated plans to invade Canada a second time to win the War of 1812, but a peace treaty was ratified in February 1815, before any U.S. military forced moved north. Monroe then resigned as Secretary of War and was formally re-appointed Secretary of State, where he served until March 4, 1817, when he succeeded James Madison to become the nation's fifth President of the United States.

First Lady of the United States (1817–1825)

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Elizabeth began her tenure as First Lady on March 4, 1817, when her husband commenced his first term as the fifth president of the United States. Upon moving into the White House, the Monroes relocated several of the dozens of Black people they enslaved in order to continue their forced labor.[13] However, the White House was still under reconstruction, so Elizabeth hosted the inaugural ball at their private residence on I Street, and part of the time the First Family lived in the Octagon House.[11] Since all the White House furnishings had been destroyed, the Monroes brought some from their private residences. Her husband was re-elected to a second term in office in 1820, and Elizabeth attended the inaugural ball held in Brown's Hotel. She remained in her role of First Lady until March 4, 1825.

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 were measured.[14] Furthermore, Elizabeth and her eldest daughter may have sought to make access to the White House more socially exclusive, reflecting French practices, which were barely tolerated given American democratic values, although President Monroe's term was also known for good feelings and relations. Still, Elizabeth had made such an impression upon General Andrew Jackson that her husband always mentioned her to him in their correspondence. Elizabeth also drew favorable reviews as the couple briefly hosted General Lafayette during his return tour through America.[11] During Elizabeth's illnesses, some of the social duties were carried out by her daughters, as discussed below. Furthermore, James or Elizabeth destroyed her correspondence, both between themselves and with others, before her death.

Since 1982 Siena College Research Institute has periodically conducted surveys asking historians to assess American first ladies according to a cumulative score on the independent criteria of their background, value to the country, intelligence, courage, accomplishments, integrity, leadership, being their own women, public image, and value to the president.[15] Consistently, Monroe has been ranked in the lower-half of first ladies by historians in these surveys. In terms of cumulative assessment, Monroe has been ranked:

  • 24th-best of 42 in 1982[16]
  • 23rd-best of 37 in 1993[16]
  • 31st-best of 38 in 2003[16]
  • 29th-best of 38 in 2008[16]
  • 30th-best of 38 in 2014[17]
  • 33rd-best of 40 in 2020[18]

In the 2014 survey, Monroe and her husband were also ranked the 15th-highest out of 39 first couples in terms of being a "power couple".[19]

Children (1786–1802)

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James and Elizabeth had three children:

  • Elizabeth ("Eliza") Kortright Monroe Hay (1786–January 27, 1840): Born in Virginia in December, 1786,[20] Eliza was educated at the school of Madame Jeanne Campan in Paris, when her father served as United States Ambassador to France. Eliza appeared to many a haughty, pompous socialite, quick to remind others of her good breeding and lofty station. In late September or early October 1808 she married George Hay,[21][failed verification] a prominent Virginia attorney who had served as prosecutor in the trial of Aaron Burr and later U.S. District Judge. Their daughter, Hortense, was named in honor of her childhood friend and classmate, Hortense de Beauharnais, step-daughter of Napoleon. During her father's presidency, Eliza alienated most of Washington society for her refusal to call on wives of the diplomatic corps, as was the custom, and 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 her father's Presidency. She spent many sleepless nights selflessly caring for victims. Following the deaths of her husband and father, Eliza moved to Paris, France, where she died on January 27, 1840.[22] [failed verification]
  • James Spence Monroe (1799–1800): The only son of the Monroes, James Spence was 16 months old[23] when he died after "several days sickness".[24]
  • Maria Hester Monroe Gouverneur (1802–June 20, 1850) In an April 12, 1802 letter[25] to James Madison, James Monroe states that his wife recently added a daughter to their family. Parish records indicate that Maria was born on April 8.[26] The following year, while still an infant, Maria accompanied her parents to London, when James Monroe became Ambassador from the United States to the Court of St. James. Upon the family's return to the United States, Maria finished school in Philadelphia. On March 9, 1820, she married her first cousin, Samuel L. Gouverneur, in the first wedding of a president's child at the White House.[27] 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. Maria died on June 20, 1850, at the age of 48, at Oak Hill, in Loudon County, Virginia.[28] [failed verification]

Death and legacy (1825–1830)

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After Monroe's terms as president expired, he and Elizabeth faced considerable debts from their years of public service, both from non-reimbursed entertaining expenses and because Monroe was forced to manage their various properties remotely. Monroe sold his plantation, Highland in Albemarle County to pay debts, and both retired to Oak Hill in Loudoun County, nearer Washington, D.C., and their daughter Eliza and her husband (although the Hays moved to Richmond in 1825 when he became the U.S. District Judge for Virginia). Although retiring, Elizabeth managed to travel to New York to visit her younger daughter, as well as other friends and relations, but made no further social visits. Sickly and suffering several long illnesses (including severe burns from a collapse near a fireplace a year after leaving the White House), Elizabeth died at Oak Hill on September 23, 1830, aged 62, her husband following her less than a year later, aged 73.

She was interred at the estate, but her husband later died in New York under their daughter's care and was originally buried in that northern state. His remains were moved 25 years after his death to become a key attraction during the development of Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. Elizabeth's remains were reinterred there in 1903, where both spouses remain buried.

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[29] to honor the first spouses of the United States. Elizabeth Monroe's coin was released in February 2008.

A gown in the collection of the James Monroe Museum indicates Elizabeth was a petite woman, not taller than 5 feet.

Relations

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Elizabeth Monroe

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Elizabeth Kortright Monroe (June 30, 1768 – September 23, 1830) was the of the from 1817 to 1825 as the wife of , the fifth president. Born into a wealthy New York merchant family, she married Monroe in 1786 at age 17, accompanying him on diplomatic missions to France during the , where she aided in securing the release of American prisoners. The couple had three children, though their son James died in infancy. As , Monroe emphasized formal European-style entertaining at the to elevate its prestige, drawing on her experiences abroad, though chronic health issues limited her public role, with daughter often assuming hosting duties. Her efforts contributed to a more dignified presidential residence during the "," including the introduction of French Empire furnishings purchased during Monroe's tenure as minister to France. Despite her elegance and beauty, which contemporaries praised, her reclusive tendencies due to illness drew some criticism for aloofness.

Early Life

Birth and Childhood

Elizabeth Kortright, later known as Elizabeth Monroe, was born on June 30, 1768, in to Lawrence Kortright, a prosperous engaged in with the and Europe, and his wife Hannah Aspinwall Kortright. The family resided in a comfortable urban setting reflective of their wealth, with Lawrence Kortright having accumulated fortune through shipping and privateering activities prior to the . As the youngest of four daughters (with one brother), Elizabeth grew up amid the escalating tensions of colonial America, including the events leading to the Revolutionary War, which disrupted New York City's commerce and her family's prosperity. Her father's business suffered significant losses during the conflict, as British occupation of the city from 1776 to 1783 forced the Kortrights to relocate temporarily to safer areas like and maintain a reduced household. Hannah Kortright died in 1777 when Elizabeth was nine, leaving her father to oversee the upbringing of the children in a period of economic strain and political upheaval. Despite these challenges, Elizabeth received an education uncommon for girls of her era, including instruction in music, dancing, and French, facilitated by the family's pre-war status and access to tutors in New York society. Her early years thus blended privilege with the hardships of wartime displacement, shaping a reserved demeanor noted in later accounts, though primary records of her personal experiences remain sparse due to the era's limited documentation of women's private lives.

Family Background and Revolutionary Context

Elizabeth Kortright, born on June 30, 1768, in , was the youngest daughter of Lawrence Kortright, a wealthy and co-founder of the New York , and Hannah Aspinwall Kortright. The family belonged to New York's colonial elite, with Lawrence having amassed his fortune through trade and privateering ventures, including during the , where he operated under commissions from the British Crown. Prior to the Revolution, the Kortrights maintained a prominent social standing, intermarrying with other established families and residing in a manner befitting their status amid the bustling port city's commerce. The profoundly disrupted the Kortright household, as British forces occupied from September 1776 until November 1783, transforming it into a Loyalist stronghold. Lawrence Kortright harbored sympathies toward , aligning with many New York merchants whose economic interests tied them to British networks; this stance contributed to the family's severe financial losses, including confiscated properties and disrupted commerce, leaving them near destitution by war's end. Elizabeth, aged seven at the war's outset, spent her formative years in this occupied environment, where Patriot activities were suppressed, and Loyalist refugees swelled the population, fostering a divided social landscape that tested familial loyalties and resources. Postwar recovery proved elusive for the Kortrights, as Lawrence's Loyalist associations barred him from full reintegration into the new republican order, exacerbating their economic decline despite his prewar prominence at addresses like 90 Broadway. This context of familial hardship and political ambiguity shaped Elizabeth's early adulthood, contrasting sharply with the Patriot credentials of her future husband, , whom she met in 1785 amid New York's evolving postwar society.

Marriage and Immediate Family

Courtship and Marriage to James Monroe

Elizabeth Kortright first encountered in 1785 in , where Monroe, then 27 years old, was serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress. Kortright, aged 17, belonged to a prominent New York mercantile family; her father, Lawrence Kortright, was a wealthy Loyalist who had suffered financial setbacks during the Revolutionary War but retained social standing. The exact circumstances of their meeting remain undocumented in surviving records, though it occurred amid the social circles frequented by congressional delegates; contemporary accounts describe Kortright's striking appearance as drawing Monroe's immediate interest during a public event. Their courtship was brief, spanning less than a year, reflecting the swift unions common among elite families of the era. Monroe, a widowed veteran and rising political figure, proposed despite the geographic and familial differences—Kortright's New York roots versus his planter background. The couple wed on February 16, 1786, at Trinity Episcopal Church in , with Elizabeth not yet 18. The ceremony, attended by congressional colleagues and family, marked Monroe's transition from to private life; he resigned his congressional seat shortly before the wedding to establish a law practice. Post-marriage, the Monroes initially remained in New York before relocating to , in October 1786, where James commenced his legal career and they purchased a home. Their union, which endured until Elizabeth's death in 1830, produced three children and was characterized by mutual devotion, with Monroe later burning her personal letters to preserve privacy after her passing. This partnership provided stability amid Monroe's subsequent political ascent, though early years involved modest circumstances as he built his practice.

Children and Domestic Life

Elizabeth and James Monroe had three children, though only two survived to adulthood. Their eldest, Elizabeth "Eliza" Kortright Monroe, was born in December 1786 in Virginia and later married George Hay, a Virginia attorney, on February 18, 1808; she died on January 27, 1840. Their son, James Spence Monroe, was born on May 23, 1799, in Albemarle County, Virginia, and died at age 16 months on September 28, 1800, succumbing to scarlet fever amid the family's diplomatic postings abroad. The youngest, Maria Hester Monroe, was born on May 8, 1802, in Washington, D.C., and married her cousin Samuel L. Gouverneur on May 9, 1820; she outlived her parents, dying in 1850. The Monroes' domestic life revolved around frequent relocations driven by James Monroe's public service, from plantations to European posts in and , which strained family stability but exposed the children to elite education and culture. Eliza received formal schooling in during her father's ministerial tenure (1794–1796), fostering her role as a capable hostess and aide to her mother in later years. Maria, born during a brief return to the U.S., benefited from proximity to Washington society, though Elizabeth's recurrent illnesses—stemming from and exposure during wartime travels—often delegated child-rearing and household management to Eliza or servants. James Monroe prioritized family correspondence and financial provision, amassing property like the estate Highland for retirement, yet the couple's letters reveal a reserved intimacy, with Monroe reportedly burning Elizabeth's personal papers after her death to preserve privacy. This reticence limits detailed insights into daily routines, but records indicate a household emphasizing republican simplicity over ostentation, even as political duties pulled Monroe away for extended periods.

Diplomatic Roles Abroad

Minister's Wife in France

In July 1794, Elizabeth Monroe accompanied her husband, , to upon his appointment as United States Minister Plenipotentiary to by President on May 28, 1794. The family arrived amid the waning days of the , shortly after the execution of on July 28, 1794, navigating a volatile post-revolutionary environment marked by political instability and anti-aristocratic fervor. Elizabeth, on her first journey to , quickly adapted to the demands of diplomatic social life, leveraging her poise and sophistication to host gatherings that facilitated informal networking among American envoys, French officials, and elites. Her efforts complemented 's pro-French diplomatic stance, which emphasized alliance-building during a period of strained U.S.- relations exacerbated by the of 1794. A notable instance of Elizabeth's influence occurred in late 1794 when she intervened on behalf of Marie-Adrienne de Lafayette, wife of the Marquis de Lafayette—a key ally in the American Revolution—who had been imprisoned in Plessis Prison since October 1794 on suspicion of aristocratic ties. Utilizing her growing popularity in Parisian circles, Elizabeth secured permission to visit the prison, arriving in a conspicuous rented carriage to publicly demonstrate support under the scrutiny of revolutionary authorities; this bold display, combined with appeals from James Monroe and other diplomats like James Swan, contributed to Adrienne's release in January 1795. The intervention underscored Elizabeth's role in soft diplomacy, as her social capital helped mitigate risks to American interests tied to Lafayette's legacy, though primary accounts emphasize her actions as supportive rather than solely decisive amid broader negotiations. During their tenure through 1796, Elizabeth hosted salons and dinners that enhanced the Monroe household's prestige, fostering goodwill despite James's recall by President Washington on November 22, 1796, due to perceived over-alignment with French Republican interests. She immersed herself in European customs, aiding her daughter's integration into local society—Eliza Monroe befriended figures like —while maintaining a low-profile elegance that avoided the excesses of revolutionary intrigue. The family's departure from France in August 1796 marked the end of this formative diplomatic phase, with Elizabeth's experiences honing her aptitude for protocol that later informed her tenure.

Minister's Wife in Britain

In 1803, Elizabeth Monroe accompanied her husband, , to following his appointment by President as Minister Plenipotentiary to the , a position he held until 1807. The family, including daughters (aged 16) and Maria (aged 1), resided primarily in , though James's concurrent responsibilities toward led to intermittent stays in . As the minister's wife, Elizabeth fulfilled traditional diplomatic social duties, such as hosting gatherings to foster relations amid rising Anglo-American tensions over trade, neutral rights, and of American sailors. British high society, however, frequently snubbed the Monroes, reflecting a broader of the United States as a "political nonentity" unworthy of the deference given to European diplomats. This lack of respect limited Elizabeth's effectiveness in informal and contributed to an unhappy tenure marked by professional frustrations for James, whose negotiations yielded only the inconclusive Monroe–Pinkney Treaty of 1806. The family departed London prematurely in late 1807, undertaking a hazardous winter to return to the , an experience that later informed Elizabeth's adoption of rigid European-style protocols during her White House years.

Pre-Presidency Domestic Positions

Governor's Wife in Virginia

James Monroe was elected governor of Virginia on December 17, 1799, for a one-year term that he extended through two re-elections, serving until 1802. Elizabeth Monroe, as the governor's wife, assumed the ceremonial role of of Virginia, which entailed hosting official receptions, dinners for legislators, and social gatherings in the state capital of Richmond to support her husband's administration. The family relocated to their Highland plantation on November 23, 1799, while maintaining a presence in Richmond for gubernatorial duties, during which Elizabeth oversaw household management amid the demands of plantation life. In May 1799, shortly before the start of the governorship, Elizabeth gave birth to the couple's only son, James Spence Monroe, in Richmond. The child died on September 28, 1800, at the age of 16 months, a profound loss that contributed to Elizabeth's emerging health issues, including recurrent illnesses that limited her public engagements. She gave birth to their third child, daughter Maria Hester Monroe, on April 8, 1802, near the end of James's tenure, further straining her physical condition during this domestic-focused period. Monroe briefly returned to the governorship for a second term from January 5, 1811, to January 12, 1812, amid rising tensions leading to the War of 1812. Elizabeth, despite ongoing health challenges, assisted her husband by copying official correspondence, demonstrating her continued involvement in administrative support from their residence. Her reserved demeanor and European-influenced formality, honed from prior diplomatic postings, shaped a measured approach to the role, prioritizing family privacy over expansive social obligations.

Secretary of State's Wife in Washington

During James Monroe's service as under President from April 2, 1811, to March 4, 1817, Elizabeth Monroe resided with her family in , at the Caldwell House on 2017 Eye Street NW, a property that also briefly served as a presidential residence later. The family maintained this urban base amid Monroe's dual role as acting Secretary of War during the , though they frequently retreated to a private estate purchased in , reflecting Elizabeth's preference for seclusion over the capital's social demands. Elizabeth adopted a reserved approach to her unofficial duties as the wife of the nation's top diplomat, eschewing the expansive entertaining common among cabinet spouses under Dolley Madison's influential model. Historical accounts note her intense privacy, shaped by European diplomatic experiences abroad, which led to minimal hosting of dinners or receptions despite expectations for such figures to foster political alliances through sociability. Their daughter , who lived with the family in Washington, often handled limited household correspondence and guest interactions in Elizabeth's stead. Chronic health ailments, including and recurrent illnesses that plagued her throughout adulthood, further curtailed Elizabeth's public engagements during this period, prompting the family to limit time in the capital's febrile social environment. This withdrawal contrasted with the era's norms but aligned with her lifelong prioritization of domestic tranquility and family over ceremonial obligations, a pattern that persisted into the .

First Lady of the United States

Inauguration and Initial Duties

Elizabeth Kortright Monroe assumed the role of on March 4, 1817, coinciding with her husband James Monroe's inauguration as the fifth . Due to ongoing renovations at the following its burning by British forces in 1814, the family hosted the inaugural ball at their private residence on I Street in . Elizabeth Monroe did not attend the swearing-in ceremony or participate in greeting guests at the reception, reflecting her preference for limited public exposure influenced by her prior diplomatic experiences abroad. In her initial duties, Elizabeth Monroe established a formal protocol for social functions, drawing from European court etiquette to elevate the administration's diplomatic standing, in contrast to the more republican informality of preceding administrations under Jefferson and Madison. This included restricting formal calls to the spouses of cabinet members and foreign diplomats, a policy formalized during a cabinet meeting on December 29, 1817, which prohibited the from making or returning such visits to maintain exclusivity. Her daughter, , frequently substituted as hostess to manage these events, as Elizabeth's chronic health issues—possibly including —limited her personal involvement from the outset. The Monroes did not occupy the White House until several months later, with reconstruction nearing completion by early 1818, during which Elizabeth contributed to refurnishing efforts by importing French decorative items, such as pieces from the Bellangé suite for the Blue Room. Her first full social season commenced on January 22, 1818, garnering initial support from figures like Louisa Adams, though the restrictive protocols sparked early resistance, including boycotts by some officials. These measures aimed to project presidential dignity amid post-War of 1812 recovery, prioritizing ceremonial formality over broad accessibility.

Social Protocol and Public Role

Elizabeth Monroe introduced a more formal, European-influenced social protocol to the , departing from the open and egalitarian entertaining style of her predecessor, . This shift emphasized structured receptions, such as weekly drawing rooms for women on Wednesdays and formal dinners limited to invited dignitaries, rather than broad public levees attended by all citizens. Her protocol restricted informal access to the , confining interactions primarily to spouses of cabinet members and foreign diplomats, which reflected diplomatic experiences abroad but alienated segments of Washington accustomed to greater inclusivity. Monroe's public role was curtailed by persistent health issues, including rheumatism and possible neuralgia, which confined her to the White House for extended periods and limited her hosting to select events. Consequently, her elder daughter, Eliza Monroe Hay, assumed many hostess duties, managing social functions and representing the family at public gatherings from 1817 onward. Despite these constraints, Monroe occasionally presided over state dinners, such as those honoring foreign ministers, maintaining an air of refined dignity that aligned with the Era of Good Feelings' emphasis on national unity over partisan revelry. The new protocol sparked , with critics decrying its perceived ; in response, some administration officials and their wives boycotted non-dinner receptions, viewing the exclusions as a snub to republican traditions. Proponents, however, praised Monroe's approach for elevating the presidency's prestige through measured formality, influencing future First Ladies to prioritize privacy and selective engagement over exhaustive social obligations. This stance underscored a deliberate recalibration of the First Lady's public visibility, prioritizing protocol over amid post-War of 1812 reconstruction.

Health Challenges and Family Delegation

Elizabeth Kortright Monroe experienced chronic health issues throughout her tenure as First Lady from March 4, 1817, to March 4, 1825, which limited her ability to fulfill public and social obligations. Contemporary accounts describe her as frequently withdrawing from public interactions due to these ailments, including recurrent illnesses that contemporaries noted through symptoms such as frailty and debility. Her condition, which included epileptic seizures later in life stemming from earlier health declines following the 1802 of her son James Spence Monroe, exacerbated her withdrawal from hosting responsibilities. In response to Monroe's deteriorating health, many of her duties as official White House hostess were delegated to family members, primarily her eldest daughter, . Eliza, married to George Hay since 1808, assumed an unofficial role, managing social protocols, receptions, and guest interactions during much of the administration. This arrangement allowed the Monroes to maintain a semblance of domestic formality while prioritizing Elizabeth's recovery, with Eliza handling the bulk of public-facing tasks from the 's early years under James Monroe's presidency. Her younger daughter, Maria Hester Monroe, provided additional support in family-hosted events, such as her own 1820 White House wedding to Samuel L. Gouverneur, though Eliza remained the primary delegate.

Criticisms and Societal Backlash

Elizabeth Monroe faced significant criticism during her tenure as from 1817 to 1825 for her limited participation in social functions, which contrasted sharply with the effusive hospitality of her predecessor, . Observers in Washington society lambasted her reclusive demeanor, attributing it to chronic illnesses including and possibly , which restricted her ability to host frequent levees or make customary social calls. This withdrawal was perceived as aloofness or snobbery, prompting accusations that she neglected the expected role of fostering national unity through entertaining, a duty Madison had elevated during the War of 1812. Her adoption of stricter European-influenced protocols exacerbated tensions, as she eliminated informal open houses in favor of formal drawing rooms limited to invited guests, such as on Wednesdays. These changes, intended to restore to the reconstructed post-1814 British burning, offended entrenched Washington elites who viewed them as exclusionary; cabinet wives and members boycotted non-dinner receptions in , creating a social chill that persisted into Monroe's first term. Daughter Eliza Gouverneur, who often deputized for her mother, intensified the rift by refusing to adhere to traditions like calling on foreign ministers' wives, further alienating the diplomatic community and fueling perceptions of aristocratic pretension. Additional societal scrutiny targeted personal habits, including rumors of her using rouge—a cosmetic practice deemed immodest by some contemporaries—and the intimate, low-key wedding of daughter Maria Hester to Samuel L. Gouverneur on March 9, 1820, in the , which excluded broader society and drew ire for its perceived . Despite partial recovery of public regard in the second term as health improved slightly, the overall backlash underscored a transitional moment in expectations for the First Lady's role, with Monroe's restraint credited by some for curbing excessive socializing but decried by critics as detrimental to presidential prestige.

Later Life and Death

Post-White House Years

Upon leaving the White House on March 4, 1825, Elizabeth Monroe and her husband retired to their Oak Hill estate in Loudoun County, Virginia, where they oversaw the plantation's operations, including the labor of enslaved individuals. The property, acquired during James Monroe's presidency, served as their primary residence in these years, reflecting a return to private agrarian life after public service. Elizabeth's longstanding health issues persisted, limiting her activities amid the couple's quiet retirement. She died at Oak Hill on September 23, 1830, at age 62, shortly after the death of her son-in-law George Hay on September 21. Initially interred on the estate grounds, her remains were later exhumed and reburied at Hollywood Cemetery in . Following her death, destroyed their personal correspondence, a family tradition that further obscured details of Elizabeth's private thoughts and experiences during this period. This act, combined with her historically reserved nature, has left scant documented insights into her final years beyond basic biographical facts.

Illness, Death, and Burial

In retirement at Oak Hill, the Monroe family estate in , Elizabeth Monroe continued to battle chronic health issues stemming from , a condition that had afflicted her since the early 1800s following the death of her infant son James Spence Monroe in 1802. Approximately one year after leaving the in March 1825, she suffered a severe that caused her to collapse near an open , resulting in extensive burns that further compromised her frail condition. These injuries, combined with ongoing epileptic episodes and general debility, marked a rapid decline in her health over the subsequent years. Monroe died on September 23, 1830, at the age of 62, at Oak Hill after several days of acute illness. Her husband, President , who was himself in failing health, survived her by less than a year; family accounts indicate he burned their personal correspondence following her death, contributing to the scarcity of intimate details about her final days. She was initially interred at Oak Hill Cemetery on the estate grounds. In a later relocation, her remains were moved to the Monroe family plot at Hollywood Cemetery in , where she rests alongside and other relatives.

Legacy and Historical Assessment

Influence on the Role of

Elizabeth Kortright Monroe introduced a more formal European-influenced protocol to social events, departing from the republican simplicity of prior administrations and emphasizing structured drawing rooms held on specific days rather than open houses. This approach, shaped by her experiences in American and European diplomatic circles, including time in during James Monroe's ambassadorship, elevated the First Lady's role in setting ceremonial standards akin to foreign courts, though it drew criticism for perceived aloofness. Monroe played a key part in the refurbishment of the White House following its reconstruction after the War of 1812 fire, overseeing the selection of furnishings and interiors with the aid of a congressional appropriation of $20,000 established in 1817 specifically for this purpose—the first such dedicated fund for presidential residence improvements. She commissioned the inaugural official White House china service and incorporated refined French-style elements, contributing to a precedent for First Ladies directing aesthetic and decorative enhancements that reflected national prestige. Her efforts, including the recovery of period pieces, underscored the evolving expectation that the First Lady could influence the executive mansion's material representation of the office, influencing later restorations like those under Caroline Harrison. Due to chronic health issues, Monroe delegated many public duties to her daughter Eliza Kortright Monroe Hay, who hosted events and managed protocol, highlighting an early model of familial assistance in fulfilling the role without rigid personal visibility. This delegation, combined with Monroe's selective engagement, helped define the position as discretionary rather than obligatory, allowing for variability based on personal capacity while prioritizing dignity and exclusivity over broad accessibility—a contrast to Dolley Madison's populist style that shaped expectations for future incumbents balancing formality with public expectations.

Personal Privacy and Historical Enigma

Elizabeth Monroe exemplified a commitment to personal privacy that extended beyond her lifetime, resulting in the near-total erasure of her private correspondence. Prior to her death on September 23, 1830, she instructed that her letters be burned to safeguard her personal affairs from public scrutiny. Her husband, former President , honored this directive and family tradition by destroying the remaining documents shortly after her passing, leaving historians with minimal primary sources on her inner life. This scarcity of records has cemented Monroe's reputation as a historical enigma among First Ladies, with only approximately five authenticated letters surviving to offer glimpses into her correspondence. The destruction of these materials, combined with her deliberate withdrawal from social engagements, has obscured her personal motivations, relationships, and daily experiences, forcing reliance on indirect evidence such as accounts from her husband and contemporaries. Monroe's reclusiveness during James Monroe's presidency from 1817 to 1825, largely due to chronic health ailments including that intensified after the 1802 of their son, further veiled her from public view and historical documentation. She delegated many official duties to her daughter and limited White House entertaining, prioritizing seclusion over the era's expectations for visibility, which amplified perceptions of her as distant and unknowable. These elements—intentional privacy measures, health-driven isolation, and the paucity of artifacts—have rendered comprehensive biographical assessment challenging, positioning Elizabeth Monroe as one of the least documented figures in the early executive mansion, with her legacy shaped more by absence than by extant evidence.

Contemporary Views and Reassessments

In scholarly surveys of First Ladies, Elizabeth Monroe consistently ranks low, reflecting views of her limited public engagement; for instance, in the 2014 Siena Research Institute poll of historians and political scientists, she placed 24th out of 37 in overall greatness, with low scores in public persuasion (35th) and accomplishments (30th), attributed to her health constraints and selective hosting. Recent analyses, however, reassess her formality not as aloofness but as a deliberate elevation of presidential dignity post-, drawing on her diplomatic exposure in during James Monroe's ambassadorships and Britain, where she navigated social circles amid revolutionary turmoil. This protocol—limiting levees to twice-weekly drawing-room receptions and excluding uninvited guests—contrasted with Dolley Madison's openness, signaling institutional maturity amid national healing, though contemporaries decried it as aristocratic. Twenty-first-century scholarship highlights Monroe's subtler contributions, including documented assistance in her husband's correspondence and political , as evidenced by an 1811 letter where James noted her copying dispatches, suggesting a collaborative partnership beyond ceremonial duties. Her delegation of social responsibilities to daughter Eliza Hay amid chronic illnesses—exacerbated by and possible neuropathy—is now viewed as pragmatic for future First Ladies balancing health and role demands, rather than abdication. Yet, the destruction of her personal papers before her 1830 death—family lore attributes this to Monroe herself—perpetuates evidentiary gaps, constraining reassessments and preserving her as a compared to more documented predecessors. This opacity underscores broader challenges in evaluating early republican women, where informal influence evades quantification.

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