Elizabeth Monroe

Elizabeth Kortright Monroe (June 30 1768 – September 23 1830) was the wife of James Monroe, fifth President of the United States.

Descended from an old New York family with Dutch roots, Elizabeth married the 27-year-old James Monroe, then a lawyer, when she was a beautiful girl of 17. Together they had three children: Eliza Kortright Monroe, James Spence Monroe, and Maria Hester Monroe. Their son James died at the age of 2. Later, while Monroe was posted as envoy to the Court of Versailles in the midst of the French Revolution, she intervened with authorities to gain the release of Madame LaFayette, wife of the Marquis de Lafayette when she learned of her imprisonment and pending death by guillotine.

The wedding of their daughter Maria to Samuel L. Gouverneur was the first to be held in the White House. However, during her years in the White House, Elizabeth suffered from a health decline, which curtailed her activities as the First Lady.

The Washington society thought Elizabeth Monroe was aloof and snobbish due to her poor health, but her husband, James Monroe, did nothing to defend her.

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.

First Spouse Coin

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 [U.S. Mint: [http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/firstSpouse/ First Spouse Program] . Accessed 2008-06-27. "The United States Mint also produces and make available to the public bronze medal duplicates of the First Spouse Gold Coins."] to honor the first spouses of the United States. Elizabeth Monroe's coin will be released sometime in February 2008.

ee also

*Oak Hill Plantation - home of James and Elizabeth Monroe

References

External links

* http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/em5.html