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When introverted Jane Appleton and charismatic Franklin Pierce
first met, they fell in love immediately, despite being complete
opposites. Jane's pious family vetoed any relationship between
them, and it was eight years before they finally married. Their
life together was a loving though often difficult one, as frail
Jane adapted to the uncertainties of political life that climaxed
in ostensible deceit and tragedy just prior to Franklin's
presidency. This book offers insight into the dynasty to which Jane
belonged and profiles earlier generations, providing a wider
perception of her family's history. Through family letters and
anecdotes, it details Jane's complex life and defines the social
and health features of the era. Aspects of Jane's childhood that
may have accounted for her melancholic nature and inhibitions are
revealed. This book also explores the truths behind the many myths
surrounding this tragic first lady.
WHERE DID INSPIRATION FOR THIS BOOK COME FROM?
During the period of the 2008 American presidential election, when
the whole world was held spellbound, I overheard a group of British
college students discussing their latest study project. They were
required to write an essay comparing any modern American First Lady
with one who had served within the first century of the presidency.
They quickly discovered that the early First Ladies lived in a
complex world and that their role in that era was difficult.
Pulling the overwhelming jigsaw of facts together from internet
research was proving to be laborious and wearisome. The students
would have preferred one compilation of First Ladies stories from
the 19th century, which could be discussed with each other and /or
their tutor at anytime, anywhere. Enthusiasm for the project was
dampened by an apparent dearth of such volumes and by the lack of
time available to study long individual biographies. The idea for
this compendium was born
WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?
In this 21st century, America's First Lady is as well known as her
husband due to world-wide modern technology. In the 19th century,
however, it was difficult for the public to even know who the
president's wife was. Even today it is not easy to call to mind
those pioneering First Ladies, many of whom were burdened with more
than their fair share of misfortune and some almost forgotten
This book provides an insight into the lives of the 19th century
First Ladies, in an undemanding, easy-to-read style, and aims to
raise awareness of the historical significance of these women.
Their abridged stories, sometimes joyful, sometimes sad, range from
slavery, bigamy, duels, royal snubs, European conflicts, American
wars, assassinations and suffrage, and demonstrate how the Ladies
might be seen as victims of history. The text includes a basic
review of the restricted evolution of the First Lady role during
the first hundred years. The aim is that the book will encourage
foundational study in colleges and schools, and inspire anyone who
is interested in presidential history to deeper levels of
publications and study.
WHO'S THE AUTHOR?
The author is an English woman, married to a dental surgeon, both
of whom fell in love with America when they first visited the
country twenty-five years ago. She served as a Justice of the Peace
in England for over twenty-five years, and also worked in the
National Health Service for a number of years, serving on two
Health Service boards as a non-executive director. She has written
for various British regional magazines and newspapers; currently
she is the editor of a bi-annual magazine for the Costa del Sol
Decorative and Fine Arts Society in Spain. She and her husband
divide their time between homes in England and Spain, and continue
to visit America whenever they can (La Jolla in California is their
favourite spot.)
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