Historiographical Review On First Ladies

Historiographical Review
Most historians of American Presidential history pay significant attention to President himself and his immediate staff or advisors when reporting on the times and events of a Presidency. Others relate the relevant information as a third-party observer or a narrator. Often, however, there has been another individual either very close to a historical event or with intimate knowledge of the happenings and details of historic actions. This person is the President’s wife or surrogate First Lady. These ladies are often a forgotten critical source to providing a unique perspective to significant historical events.
The role and depiction of that role of our First Ladies has changed over time as well. Certainly, in early times, before women could vote, their views and observations were not considered nor acknowledged and except for a few like Abigail Adams and Dolley Madison, our First Ladies remained irrelevant and out of the public eye. But as times progressed, several First Ladies, like Edith Wilson, Eleanor Roosevelt and Jacqueline Kennedy, either took on more important roles within their husbands’ White House and were more visible to and acknowledged by the public.
For reporting on our earliest Presidents, John Adams and James Madison, historians have had to rely on the reports of direct observers and the writings and speeches
Hal Hansen at GSU Special Collections), Georgia Perimeter College, and the Auburn Avenue Research Library (Mr. Richard Cox and Mr. Moseley). These investigations have revealed many writings and recorded statements and observations from various First Ladies. Also, there are many pictures and drawings of the East Room throughout the years of its existence. The GSU Library provided “The Mary Lincoln Enigma: Historians on America’s Most Controversial First Lady” 2017. This source contains various accounts of Mary Todd Lincoln’s