Notizen zu dieser Person
Elizabeth Kortright Monroe (June 30, 1768 - September 23, 1830) was the wife of James Monroe, fifth President of the United States. Born in New York on June 30, 1768, the daughter of Lawrence Kortright, an officer in the British army and prominent merchant who lost much of his fortunes during the Revolution, and Hannah Aspinwall-Kortright, Elizabeth 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 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 Paris, as wife of the American Minister during the Reign of Terror, she helped secure the release of Madame LaFayette, wife of the Marquis de Lafayette when she learned of her imprisonment and pending death by guillotine. James and Elizabeth had three children: Eliza Kortright Monroe-Hay (1787 - ?) - 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. James Spence Monroe - died at age 2 Maria Hester Monroe-Gouverneur (1803 - 1850) - 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. 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. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
William B.
