First Ladies of the Republic

How the three inaugural First Ladies defined the role for future generations, and carved a space for women in AmericaAmerica’s first First Ladies—Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, and Dolley Madison—had the challenging task of playing a pivotal role in defining the nature of the American presidency to a fledgling nation and to the world. In First Ladies of the Republic, Jeanne Abrams breaks new ground by examining their lives as a group. From their visions for the future of the burgeoning new nation and its political structure, to ideas about family life and matrimony, these three women had a profound influence on one another’s views as they created the new role of presidential spouse.Martha, Abigail and Dolley walked the fine line between bringing dignity to their lives as presidential wives, and supporting their husbands’ presidential agendas, while at the same time, distancing themselves from the behavior, customs and ceremonies that reflected the courtly styles of European royalty that were inimical to the values of the new republic. In the face of personal challenges, public scrutiny, and sometimes vocal criticism, they worked to project a persona that inspired approval and confidence, and helped burnish their husbands’ presidential reputations.The position of First Lady was not officially authorized or defined, and the place of women in society was more restricted than it is today. These capable and path-breaking women not only shaped their own roles as prominent Americans and “First Ladies,” but also defined a role for women in public and private life in America.

Abrams sets this...entertaining book against the background of the post-revolutionary era, when American ideals and traditions were being formed., Abrams provides a much-needed new approach to understanding the significance of the position that Martha Washington (17311802), Abigail Adams (17441818), and Madison once occupied.[She] gives life to Martha, Abigail, and Dolley, illuminating the importance of their position to American history...compelling storytelling., Abrams’s argument draws much-needed attention to the ways in which each of these figures was dedicated to preserving the political and personal legacies of her husband…Its well-written and accessible prose will likely appeal to a popular audience as well…Abrams’s work… finds its most important contribution in defining the ways in which these women infused their marital partnerships with political power and her argument about these three women’s collective, rather than individual, influence on this critical American role., Abrams presents an in-depth social and political history of three of the First Ladies of the Revolutionary generation. Through this history, the author fills in gaps in our understanding of these three women and their positions as consorts, advisors, caretakers, and protectors of the first presidents…makes a useful contribution to early American history in its portrayal of these First Ladies and can be enjoyed by the general reader as well as the scholar. This book does much to keep early American political and social history alive., Other books examine specific First Ladies, but Abrams convincingly contends that considering these three together provides an important look at the evolving role of women during the early republicFirst Ladies of the Republic demonstrates that studies of early American presidential politics must also analyze the work of First Ladies.

Jeanne E. Abrams is Professor at the University Libraries and the Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Denver, where she is also Director of the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society, and Curator of the Beck Archives, Special Collections. She is the author of First Ladies of the Republic: Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, and the Creation of an Iconic American Role and Revolutionary Medicine: The Founding Fathers and Mothers in Sickness and in Health.