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A Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation
"Delightful and discerning . . . In this evocative study a remarkable woman, creator of the ‘first lady' role, comes vividly to life."—The New York Times
When the roar of the Revolution had finally died down, a new generation of politicians was summoned to the Potomac to assemble the nation's capital. Into that unsteady atmosphere—which would soon enough erupt into another conflict with Britain—Dolley Madison arrived, alongside her husband, James. Within a few years, she had mastered both the social and political intricacies of the city, and by her death in 1849 was the most celebrated person in Washington. And yet, to most Americans, she's best known for saving a portrait from the burning White House.
Why did her contemporaries so admire a lady so little known today? In A Perfect Union, acclaimed historian Catherine Allgor reveals how Dolley manipulated the contstraints of her gender to construct an American democratic ruling style and to achieve her husband's political goals. By emphasizing cooperation over coercion—building bridges instead of bunkers—she left us with not only an important story about our past but a model for a modern form of politics.
When the roar of the Revolution had finally died down, a new generation of politicians was summoned to the Potomac to assemble the nation's capital. Into that unsteady atmosphere—which would soon enough erupt into another conflict with Britain—Dolley Madison arrived, alongside her husband, James. Within a few years, she had mastered both the social and political intricacies of the city, and by her death in 1849 was the most celebrated person in Washington. And yet, to most Americans, she's best known for saving a portrait from the burning White House.
Why did her contemporaries so admire a lady so little known today? In A Perfect Union, acclaimed historian Catherine Allgor reveals how Dolley manipulated the contstraints of her gender to construct an American democratic ruling style and to achieve her husband's political goals. By emphasizing cooperation over coercion—building bridges instead of bunkers—she left us with not only an important story about our past but a model for a modern form of politics.
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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January 13, 2021
Dolley
The First Lady, Dolley Madison, wife of the Fourth President of the United States of America, James Madison had a strong will and unique personality. She hosted parties for Washington D.C.'s social and political elite and invited members of both political parties spearheading the concept of bipartisan cooperation. At this time, the position of First Lady was not officially authorized or defined. She was known to have saved the only portrait of George Washington before the British burned down the White House in the War of 1812. Historical figures were brought to life through their experience of this unprecedented attack; the presidential family displaced, a nation humbled, and an American spirit shaken.
Dolley sometimes served as widower Thomas Jefferson's hostess for official ceremonial functions befriending the wives of the ambassador of Spain, and France. Her charm precipitated a diplomatic crisis called the “Merry Affair,” after Jefferson escorted Dolley to the dining room instead of the wife of Anthony Merry, the English diplomat to the U.S., in a faux pas.
Dolley was known for her good heart and warmth, but she was indifferent to the plight of her slaves and the practice of slavery in America. Even though James Madison is a founding member of American Colonization Society that sought to liberate the slaves and be sent to newly created African nation of Liberia. in 1836, at the James Madison’s funeral, white mourners were moved by the slaves gave vent to their lamentations that showed their admiration for him. Jams Madison had stipulated in his will that female slaves not be sold after his death, but to combat debt and need for the cash, Dolley proceeded to sell her slaves. Dolley grew up in a quaker family and her parents did not approve the practice of slavery. In 1783, following the American Revolutionary War, her father John Payne emancipated his slaves.
In the last days of her life, before Congress purchased her husband's Presidential papers, she was in a state of absolute poverty. A slave named Paul Jennings recalled that she suffered for the daily necessities of life. Occasionally he gave her small sums from his own pocket; this was years after he gained freedom from her. However, in the periodical of abolition movement “The Liberator” the editors disputed her claims of poverty stating that U.S. Congress had given her liberal amount. Even conceding her penury, the editors were blunt and censorious.
Why did Dolley’s contemporaries admire her? In this book, historian Catherine Allgor reveals how Dolley manipulated her gender role to construct and to achieve her husband's political goals. By emphasizing cooperation over coercion, she learnt to find common goals that benefited her husband’s leadership, and her difficult issues with her son’s failures.
The First Lady, Dolley Madison, wife of the Fourth President of the United States of America, James Madison had a strong will and unique personality. She hosted parties for Washington D.C.'s social and political elite and invited members of both political parties spearheading the concept of bipartisan cooperation. At this time, the position of First Lady was not officially authorized or defined. She was known to have saved the only portrait of George Washington before the British burned down the White House in the War of 1812. Historical figures were brought to life through their experience of this unprecedented attack; the presidential family displaced, a nation humbled, and an American spirit shaken.
Dolley sometimes served as widower Thomas Jefferson's hostess for official ceremonial functions befriending the wives of the ambassador of Spain, and France. Her charm precipitated a diplomatic crisis called the “Merry Affair,” after Jefferson escorted Dolley to the dining room instead of the wife of Anthony Merry, the English diplomat to the U.S., in a faux pas.
Dolley was known for her good heart and warmth, but she was indifferent to the plight of her slaves and the practice of slavery in America. Even though James Madison is a founding member of American Colonization Society that sought to liberate the slaves and be sent to newly created African nation of Liberia. in 1836, at the James Madison’s funeral, white mourners were moved by the slaves gave vent to their lamentations that showed their admiration for him. Jams Madison had stipulated in his will that female slaves not be sold after his death, but to combat debt and need for the cash, Dolley proceeded to sell her slaves. Dolley grew up in a quaker family and her parents did not approve the practice of slavery. In 1783, following the American Revolutionary War, her father John Payne emancipated his slaves.
In the last days of her life, before Congress purchased her husband's Presidential papers, she was in a state of absolute poverty. A slave named Paul Jennings recalled that she suffered for the daily necessities of life. Occasionally he gave her small sums from his own pocket; this was years after he gained freedom from her. However, in the periodical of abolition movement “The Liberator” the editors disputed her claims of poverty stating that U.S. Congress had given her liberal amount. Even conceding her penury, the editors were blunt and censorious.
Why did Dolley’s contemporaries admire her? In this book, historian Catherine Allgor reveals how Dolley manipulated her gender role to construct and to achieve her husband's political goals. By emphasizing cooperation over coercion, she learnt to find common goals that benefited her husband’s leadership, and her difficult issues with her son’s failures.
October 18, 2011
First of all, I was drawn to this book because of my fascination with all things Dolley Madison. I was actually trying to find a biography that I had read about her years ago and stumbled across this one. Without knowing the title of that previous read, I think I enjoyed this one a little less and I will elaborate on the reasons further on. Most people today do not know that much about this amazing woman – more than the cursory of saving Washington’s portrait and serving ice cream in the White House. But she was so much more than that – really she was much of the power behind her husband’s presidency.
This book did do a great job of giving the reader a solid understanding of just how much of a political role Dolley had and how important she was not only to her husband’s presidency but that of Jefferson as well. You get a well rounded idea of who she was and why she was so well known.
I was also thrilled by the quantity of primary source documents and references that were peppered throughout the book. We are privy to many of her letters to her friends and sisters which provide not only a glimpse at the political but also the private life of this lady. You are able to feel very connected to her thoughts and feelings through these words.
But, there were also some aspects of this book that I thought could have been much better. First of all, there is a lot of repetition of phrases – and it’s not done to drive home a particular message – it is more like there needed a better job in the editing process. When these things are noticeable there is a something wrong. I kept thinking, “you already told me that!”. I also thought that there was a little bit too much time spent on the personal life of Thomas Jefferson. To some extent this is necessary as Dolley did a lot for Jefferson as well, but there came a point when I started thinking I was reading a Jefferson biography instead and lost sight of the subject of the book. I would also have liked a little bit more about James Madison – he just appears and then they are wed. He is someone who’s backstory would have fit well into the book and helped support more of Dolley’s story as well.
Overall this was a decent read, but I have read better – and I would recommend it if I could come up with the title!
The narrator, Anne Twomey, did a decent job of narrating this non-fiction work. I never lost interest in the narrative and she was able to keep your attention – which can sometimes be difficult when listening to a biography. The sound of her voice leant itself to the subject – I could believe her to be Dolley as her personal letters were being read.
This book did do a great job of giving the reader a solid understanding of just how much of a political role Dolley had and how important she was not only to her husband’s presidency but that of Jefferson as well. You get a well rounded idea of who she was and why she was so well known.
I was also thrilled by the quantity of primary source documents and references that were peppered throughout the book. We are privy to many of her letters to her friends and sisters which provide not only a glimpse at the political but also the private life of this lady. You are able to feel very connected to her thoughts and feelings through these words.
But, there were also some aspects of this book that I thought could have been much better. First of all, there is a lot of repetition of phrases – and it’s not done to drive home a particular message – it is more like there needed a better job in the editing process. When these things are noticeable there is a something wrong. I kept thinking, “you already told me that!”. I also thought that there was a little bit too much time spent on the personal life of Thomas Jefferson. To some extent this is necessary as Dolley did a lot for Jefferson as well, but there came a point when I started thinking I was reading a Jefferson biography instead and lost sight of the subject of the book. I would also have liked a little bit more about James Madison – he just appears and then they are wed. He is someone who’s backstory would have fit well into the book and helped support more of Dolley’s story as well.
Overall this was a decent read, but I have read better – and I would recommend it if I could come up with the title!
The narrator, Anne Twomey, did a decent job of narrating this non-fiction work. I never lost interest in the narrative and she was able to keep your attention – which can sometimes be difficult when listening to a biography. The sound of her voice leant itself to the subject – I could believe her to be Dolley as her personal letters were being read.
July 19, 2013
This could have been the shining star, the very Platonic ideal of a biography of a woman in the early Republic. And Dolley Madison at that, a strong, savvy woman who started a Quaker and died an elder stateswoman! It could have been great.
Which is to say, the parts that are good are very, very good. I love a book that treats Jefferson like the flaming asshole hypocrite that he was, and Allgor definitely is onto Jefferson's misogyny and manipulation.
But this book desperately needed editing. Heavy editing. While the information is fascinating and the author's tone is usually light (occasionally condescending), it's so redundant and wordy that I found myself thinking, "Didn't I just read this?" By page 300 I wanted to scream "OK, I GET IT! SHE USED HER WOMANLY WILES TO GET MALE POLITICAL WORK DONE BUT WAS SNEAKY ABOUT IT BECAUSE ZOMG WOMEN POLITICIANS WERE ANATHEMA. PLEASE OH PLEASE DEAR GOD DO NOT TELL ME THIS AGAIN."
Which is to say, it needed a heavy editorial hand and didn't get it.
There are some embarrassing typos (e.g., the misspelling of Mathew Brady's first name). Some Paul Hamilton (Secretary of the Navy) misinformation/gossip (e.g., he was just a drunk fuck-up) pops up. And despite the big to-do in the introduction about how awful it is that women are referred to by their first names in many biographies, the author can't depart from this here because Dolley is Dolley; to equalize things, Allgor refers to James Madison throughout as "James." This is all fine, except there was a Briton who wrote scathingly about the the War of 1812 (he hated Americans) with the surname James, so it was a tad distracting.
Which is to say, the parts that are good are very, very good. I love a book that treats Jefferson like the flaming asshole hypocrite that he was, and Allgor definitely is onto Jefferson's misogyny and manipulation.
But this book desperately needed editing. Heavy editing. While the information is fascinating and the author's tone is usually light (occasionally condescending), it's so redundant and wordy that I found myself thinking, "Didn't I just read this?" By page 300 I wanted to scream "OK, I GET IT! SHE USED HER WOMANLY WILES TO GET MALE POLITICAL WORK DONE BUT WAS SNEAKY ABOUT IT BECAUSE ZOMG WOMEN POLITICIANS WERE ANATHEMA. PLEASE OH PLEASE DEAR GOD DO NOT TELL ME THIS AGAIN."
Which is to say, it needed a heavy editorial hand and didn't get it.
There are some embarrassing typos (e.g., the misspelling of Mathew Brady's first name). Some Paul Hamilton (Secretary of the Navy) misinformation/gossip (e.g., he was just a drunk fuck-up) pops up. And despite the big to-do in the introduction about how awful it is that women are referred to by their first names in many biographies, the author can't depart from this here because Dolley is Dolley; to equalize things, Allgor refers to James Madison throughout as "James." This is all fine, except there was a Briton who wrote scathingly about the the War of 1812 (he hated Americans) with the surname James, so it was a tad distracting.
May 6, 2015
Crossposted at Booklikes.
Dolley Madison is my favorite first lady. I’m sorry Michelle, but she is. The whole story of her marriage to Madison, her saving of the Washington Portrait. The fact that she reminds of the Unsinkable Molly Brown as played by Debbie Reynolds (Look, I don’t know why, she just does).
This book looks at the influence of Dolley Madison on the not only the role of the First Lady but on politics, the argument being that the role of women in the political system has been vastly overlooked.
It’s true that there is some repetition of phrases that goes beyond the “repeat key ideas” rule, but it is a pleasant read that moves along at a quick place.
While Dolley’s role in the rescue of key items from Washington DC is detailed, the focus is on Dolley’s influence in terms of greasing the wheels of politics. This includes how and with what she decorated the White House, what she wore and so on.
In other words, the intense gaze that lasers in on Michelle Obama and Hilary Clinton, just to name two, didn’t start recently.
Depressing, but true.
And Dolley stayed in Gray’s Ferry. I doubt she would recognize it now.
It should be noted that the Madisons’ as slave owners is not whitewashed. In fact, Allegor’s harshest criticism of Dolley appears here, and it is done in the terms of history and Dolley’s character.
This book is an ideal read in addition to the work of Cokie Roberts.
Dolley Madison is my favorite first lady. I’m sorry Michelle, but she is. The whole story of her marriage to Madison, her saving of the Washington Portrait. The fact that she reminds of the Unsinkable Molly Brown as played by Debbie Reynolds (Look, I don’t know why, she just does).
This book looks at the influence of Dolley Madison on the not only the role of the First Lady but on politics, the argument being that the role of women in the political system has been vastly overlooked.
It’s true that there is some repetition of phrases that goes beyond the “repeat key ideas” rule, but it is a pleasant read that moves along at a quick place.
While Dolley’s role in the rescue of key items from Washington DC is detailed, the focus is on Dolley’s influence in terms of greasing the wheels of politics. This includes how and with what she decorated the White House, what she wore and so on.
In other words, the intense gaze that lasers in on Michelle Obama and Hilary Clinton, just to name two, didn’t start recently.
Depressing, but true.
And Dolley stayed in Gray’s Ferry. I doubt she would recognize it now.
It should be noted that the Madisons’ as slave owners is not whitewashed. In fact, Allegor’s harshest criticism of Dolley appears here, and it is done in the terms of history and Dolley’s character.
This book is an ideal read in addition to the work of Cokie Roberts.
July 4, 2024
In certain areas, this book is very, very good. I learned a great deal about Dolley Madison, and how much she did regarding the creation of the “role” of First Lady, as well as fashioning an American form (versus European) of etiquette and manners. She was a political force to be reckoned with, and she did it all through social engagements in her drawing room.
However, as others have pointed out, although the research and references to primary sources was extremely thorough, the book became repetitive, and therefore a bit cumbersome. There were also some glaring typos; for instance, in the book the date of the death of Dolley’s first husband is AFTER her marriage to James Madison, because there is an error in the date of her husband‘s death (the book has it as 1774, the year she married James, when in reality it was 1773). This seems like a glaring error coming from a history professor. Even though I know it was a mistake, it definitely lowered the quality of the book in my estimation.
However, as others have pointed out, although the research and references to primary sources was extremely thorough, the book became repetitive, and therefore a bit cumbersome. There were also some glaring typos; for instance, in the book the date of the death of Dolley’s first husband is AFTER her marriage to James Madison, because there is an error in the date of her husband‘s death (the book has it as 1774, the year she married James, when in reality it was 1773). This seems like a glaring error coming from a history professor. Even though I know it was a mistake, it definitely lowered the quality of the book in my estimation.
November 18, 2020
Dolley Payne Todd Madison was born into a Quaker family from Virginia in 1768. She married young and promptly gave birth to two small sons before her husband and newborn son were both killed by fever. This inextricably changed the course of her life and that of the nation, for she remarried to one James Madison, who was to become the President of the fledgling United States from 1809-1817. In a world before the role of 'First Lady' was established, Dolley masterfully charmed Washington D.C. and in many ways was the better politician than her quiet and reserved husband. Known for her weekly open houses that helped facilitate political progress and thus the work of the nation's government, Dolley devoted the whole of her life to her husband and later to his legacy.
In a time when women had very little authority or power on there own, it was fascinating to see how Dolley was able to capitalize on her husband's position to indirectly sway the course of history. Of course this was only possible because of the strong partnership and mutual respect between Dolley and James: "James Madison had always treated his wife seriously as a political partner. As early as 1794, she served as his secretary; she went on doing so through James's presidency, as he dictated letter drafts to her and conducted presidential business freely with her when his official secretary was ill" (145).
Some of the most fascinating sections of this book were not the political detail but the sections that focused on Dolley's oversight of the decoration of the White House and the description of her wardrobe and social functions that proved so critical to the work being down in the capitol. Dolley understood that the appearance of both herself and the White House held significant symbolic importance for the country and did an excellent job of appearing stately and distinctive without too aristocratic. It was also interesting to read about her close relationships with her sisters and nieces, who frequently took on surrogate daughter roles in the absence of Dolley having any daughters herself.
After her husband's presidency, Dolley retired with James to his family home of Montpelier. He was much older than his wife and in ill health and she was too devoted to ever leave his side. Yet she seems to have chafed over country life and miss the society of a larger city and quickly was back in the spotlight championing her husband's memory and serving as almost a living monument in the final years of her life after James's death.
This was a lovely portrayal of Dolley that conveys her charisma, influence, and place in our country's history. I do wish more detail had been given about her childhood and family background, her son's life, and James Madison himself. Of course James was much more reserved than his wife, but he fully recedes into the background of this book and his voice is not really present, which is surprising given what a large portion of her lie he occupied. All in all a well researched and thorough biography of a great First Lady.
In a time when women had very little authority or power on there own, it was fascinating to see how Dolley was able to capitalize on her husband's position to indirectly sway the course of history. Of course this was only possible because of the strong partnership and mutual respect between Dolley and James: "James Madison had always treated his wife seriously as a political partner. As early as 1794, she served as his secretary; she went on doing so through James's presidency, as he dictated letter drafts to her and conducted presidential business freely with her when his official secretary was ill" (145).
Some of the most fascinating sections of this book were not the political detail but the sections that focused on Dolley's oversight of the decoration of the White House and the description of her wardrobe and social functions that proved so critical to the work being down in the capitol. Dolley understood that the appearance of both herself and the White House held significant symbolic importance for the country and did an excellent job of appearing stately and distinctive without too aristocratic. It was also interesting to read about her close relationships with her sisters and nieces, who frequently took on surrogate daughter roles in the absence of Dolley having any daughters herself.
After her husband's presidency, Dolley retired with James to his family home of Montpelier. He was much older than his wife and in ill health and she was too devoted to ever leave his side. Yet she seems to have chafed over country life and miss the society of a larger city and quickly was back in the spotlight championing her husband's memory and serving as almost a living monument in the final years of her life after James's death.
This was a lovely portrayal of Dolley that conveys her charisma, influence, and place in our country's history. I do wish more detail had been given about her childhood and family background, her son's life, and James Madison himself. Of course James was much more reserved than his wife, but he fully recedes into the background of this book and his voice is not really present, which is surprising given what a large portion of her lie he occupied. All in all a well researched and thorough biography of a great First Lady.
April 20, 2022
At the 69% mark, I have chosen to abandon this tedious, repetitive, essentially boring book. Although I kept hoping that it would turn around, it is clear that those hopes have been in vain. This author just kept saying the same thing over and over: “Dolley was well loved”, “She gave great parties,” “She made James socially available,” yada, yada, yada. The writing style left much to be desired. Surely, Dolley was more interesting than this.
March 13, 2025
A great reflection on the political career of Dolley Madison who Allgor credits for introducing bipartisan cooperation into American politics as well as creating the modern conception of the role of the First Lady—which she performed not just for her husband but also at times for Thomas Jefferson.
I loved Allgor’s insights into Dolley Madison’s strategic clothing choices comparing it to the same signaling used in military iconography, and the function of the myth-making of her saving of Washington’s portrait as a way to shape our memory of the war of 1812. Madison was so incredibly famous and popular and covertly powerful. And this was very fun to read.
I loved Allgor’s insights into Dolley Madison’s strategic clothing choices comparing it to the same signaling used in military iconography, and the function of the myth-making of her saving of Washington’s portrait as a way to shape our memory of the war of 1812. Madison was so incredibly famous and popular and covertly powerful. And this was very fun to read.
April 29, 2020
I had no idea Dolley Madison was such a superstar during her era! And so very influential too. This is a very interesting biography of the famous first "first lady." It got a little repetitive at times, which is the main reason I'm giving it only a 4.0. I liked it so much I read it again two years later!
September 21, 2010
This woman MUST have done something more interesting than picking out crimson curtains for the Oval Office and buying fancy dresses and schmoozing politicians. I don't care if it was 1800. I mean really...can you make it any more boring?! Shoot me now.
May 22, 2017
Dolley Madison grew up in a Quaker belief, mainly due to her father. Her father utterly rejected slavery - it was the reason why they moved out of their home that Dolley ever known. For all of her life Dolley longed for to return to her childhood. Not much is known of her or her sisters' education during her youth, however they were all educated to some degree. Dolley took the role of being a Sister very seriously and it was a role she played happily.
John Todd was her first husband. Dolley and John were happy together, they had two sons quickly. Unfortunately, John and the younger son died of the Yellow Fever on the same day. She would marry James within a year of his death. James was a life long bachelor before he married Dolley. She became a slave owner once again through marriage. James was also an Episcopalian - just another step away from Dolley's Quaker upbringing.
James Madison was essential to Thomas Jefferson during his presidency. No two political collaborators were closer than Madison and Jefferson. While Thomas Jefferson was President, Dolley would occasionally play as the hostess, when his own daughters were not able to. President Jefferson's administration did not believe in having an "open" White House. It soon became custom to call on the Madison's for the good times. It was at that time that some of Dolley's bad habits gambling and snuff were by their guests during that time. Although, gambling is something Dolley greatly cutback on.
The Madison's both expected after Jefferson's two terms that James would become the Republican candidate for Presidency - they were right, and he did become president for two terms as well. James had a quiet political style, depending on thoughtful consideration above all.James always viewed Dolley as a political partner, she served as his secretary as early as 1794 and she continued to be during his presidency. During his presidency James decided to refuse all dinner invitations as to not show favoritism so in that case Dolley held more formal dinners than any other president's wife. Under Dolley, Washington's social scene went from six weeks to ten weeks.
The White House early years were a growing pain. Dolley continued her project of readying the White House for Society. She installed service bells in every room, doubled the staff - including slaves from her family as well as slaves from other families in the Washington area.
Dolley's health was not greatly expanded on. Dolley complained of back pain, her eyes weren't good, and she eventually complained of pains in her face, which may have been erysipelas. There are also some rumors that she may have suffered miscarriages during her marriage to James She also had trouble with her ears, going temporarily deaf. She died at age 81.
Dolley Madison ensured that by making sure George Washington's portrait, although a copy of one, would not be destroyed or taken by the British when they burned our White House to the ground. By that one single act Dolley made her place in history. Who she was is the reason why people love and admire her.
I was disappointed on the slavery issue in this book - IDK if the author never thought to dig or didn't want to ruin Dolley's memory by her true thoughts on slavery. I felt her thoughts were too much along the line of James'. Dolley was not naive, she made references of intermixing between masters and their slaves.
John Todd was her first husband. Dolley and John were happy together, they had two sons quickly. Unfortunately, John and the younger son died of the Yellow Fever on the same day. She would marry James within a year of his death. James was a life long bachelor before he married Dolley. She became a slave owner once again through marriage. James was also an Episcopalian - just another step away from Dolley's Quaker upbringing.
James Madison was essential to Thomas Jefferson during his presidency. No two political collaborators were closer than Madison and Jefferson. While Thomas Jefferson was President, Dolley would occasionally play as the hostess, when his own daughters were not able to. President Jefferson's administration did not believe in having an "open" White House. It soon became custom to call on the Madison's for the good times. It was at that time that some of Dolley's bad habits gambling and snuff were by their guests during that time. Although, gambling is something Dolley greatly cutback on.
The Madison's both expected after Jefferson's two terms that James would become the Republican candidate for Presidency - they were right, and he did become president for two terms as well. James had a quiet political style, depending on thoughtful consideration above all.James always viewed Dolley as a political partner, she served as his secretary as early as 1794 and she continued to be during his presidency. During his presidency James decided to refuse all dinner invitations as to not show favoritism so in that case Dolley held more formal dinners than any other president's wife. Under Dolley, Washington's social scene went from six weeks to ten weeks.
The White House early years were a growing pain. Dolley continued her project of readying the White House for Society. She installed service bells in every room, doubled the staff - including slaves from her family as well as slaves from other families in the Washington area.
Dolley's health was not greatly expanded on. Dolley complained of back pain, her eyes weren't good, and she eventually complained of pains in her face, which may have been erysipelas. There are also some rumors that she may have suffered miscarriages during her marriage to James She also had trouble with her ears, going temporarily deaf. She died at age 81.
Dolley Madison ensured that by making sure George Washington's portrait, although a copy of one, would not be destroyed or taken by the British when they burned our White House to the ground. By that one single act Dolley made her place in history. Who she was is the reason why people love and admire her.
I was disappointed on the slavery issue in this book - IDK if the author never thought to dig or didn't want to ruin Dolley's memory by her true thoughts on slavery. I felt her thoughts were too much along the line of James'. Dolley was not naive, she made references of intermixing between masters and their slaves.
October 26, 2020
Too often, First Ladies don't get their due in biographies about their Presidential husbands. They drift in and out of the story, exist largely in the background and, for those who outlive their husbands, their story ends when their husband dies.
A First Lady like Dolley Madison - well-known, but about whom most of us actually know little - deserves more. And Catherine Allgor gives us a better understanding of James Madison's better half than any James Madison biography does.
Allgor's central argument is that Dolley played a crucial role as a political partner to James, as a hostess whose famed drawing rooms were more than mere entertainments, but served key diplomatic and political functions, allowing issues of importance to be discussed and hashed out in informal settings. Her role as a gracious and politically-aware hostess also helped to establish the role of the First Lady as a unifying figure whom the fledgling country could call its own.
As such, Dolley's famed last-minute flight from the White House after saving the portrait of George Washington during the War of 1812, is the central event in the book. It's what she's best known for, and it demonstrates both her political astuteness (she was aware of the potential consequences of allowing the Washington portrait to fall into British hands) and her attentiveness to the morale of the country, and the symbolic meaning that her actions would have, at the time and for posterity.
The subtitle of the book indicates that it's about Dolley Madison "and the creation of the American nation," so there's a lot of history in here that doesn't directly relate to Dolley. In fact, she disappears for pages at a time as events of the day are described. Some reviewers who wanted more of "the life" and less of "the times" are disappointed by this, but I think the book includes some excellent sections on events like the Merry Affair and the atmosphere in Washington just before the British invasion. And it all serves as an important backdrop to Dolley's actions - you must understand the times in order to appreciate the life.
The book relies a great deal on Dolley's existing correspondence. This alone doesn't provide a full picture of a full life, so the book can get repetitive at times and skims over some things we simply don't know much about - her life before meeting James Madison, for example, is summed up in what is essentially a flashback. And there are some curious inaccuracies - some minor (Abigail Adams is said to have hung her laundry in the White House's Oval Room, when it's pretty well known that she did this in the East Room), some puzzling (an illustration of the Capitol is misidentified as the White House) and some downright bizarre (Abigail Adams is said to have "co-created" the Alien and Sedition Acts).
But as a whole, this is an enjoyable, informative and often witty read on Dolley the woman, Dolley the First Lady, the Madison administration and the times in which they lived. If you read a James Madison biography and come away feeling like you don't quite know him or his wife, read this book and you'll get a fuller picture of them both.
A First Lady like Dolley Madison - well-known, but about whom most of us actually know little - deserves more. And Catherine Allgor gives us a better understanding of James Madison's better half than any James Madison biography does.
Allgor's central argument is that Dolley played a crucial role as a political partner to James, as a hostess whose famed drawing rooms were more than mere entertainments, but served key diplomatic and political functions, allowing issues of importance to be discussed and hashed out in informal settings. Her role as a gracious and politically-aware hostess also helped to establish the role of the First Lady as a unifying figure whom the fledgling country could call its own.
As such, Dolley's famed last-minute flight from the White House after saving the portrait of George Washington during the War of 1812, is the central event in the book. It's what she's best known for, and it demonstrates both her political astuteness (she was aware of the potential consequences of allowing the Washington portrait to fall into British hands) and her attentiveness to the morale of the country, and the symbolic meaning that her actions would have, at the time and for posterity.
The subtitle of the book indicates that it's about Dolley Madison "and the creation of the American nation," so there's a lot of history in here that doesn't directly relate to Dolley. In fact, she disappears for pages at a time as events of the day are described. Some reviewers who wanted more of "the life" and less of "the times" are disappointed by this, but I think the book includes some excellent sections on events like the Merry Affair and the atmosphere in Washington just before the British invasion. And it all serves as an important backdrop to Dolley's actions - you must understand the times in order to appreciate the life.
The book relies a great deal on Dolley's existing correspondence. This alone doesn't provide a full picture of a full life, so the book can get repetitive at times and skims over some things we simply don't know much about - her life before meeting James Madison, for example, is summed up in what is essentially a flashback. And there are some curious inaccuracies - some minor (Abigail Adams is said to have hung her laundry in the White House's Oval Room, when it's pretty well known that she did this in the East Room), some puzzling (an illustration of the Capitol is misidentified as the White House) and some downright bizarre (Abigail Adams is said to have "co-created" the Alien and Sedition Acts).
But as a whole, this is an enjoyable, informative and often witty read on Dolley the woman, Dolley the First Lady, the Madison administration and the times in which they lived. If you read a James Madison biography and come away feeling like you don't quite know him or his wife, read this book and you'll get a fuller picture of them both.
January 6, 2017
I'm halfway through this book, but it feels like I've been reading it for an eternity (and I'm a fast reader!).
The author is undoubtably a good writer. But is sorely in need of a ruthless editor. You can tell she relishes writing, but writes far too much! This book could have been half its length with some good editing. There is no need to go for pages into the entire history of Quakerism or of Napoleon Bonaparte, for example, when these topics happen to pop up in Dolley's timeline. The author repeats her arguments for Dolley's importance so many times that one starts to think the lady doth protest too much. If you have to phrase and rephrase your point ad nauseum... Maybe it's not a very strong position? In any case, the tone can be quite condescending.
Scattered typos throughout and a strange balance of assuming the reader has zero prior knowledge and yet expecting them to remember small details like the name of one fairly insignificant member of Congress who was mentioned in passing forty pages previously. Some factual errors as well. She describes footmen attending one of Dolley's salons as carrying chapeaux bras, which she translates as brass helmets. I'm francophone and a costume historian, so I know that this is a large flatter hat carried under the arm, not worn on the head. Even a cursory Google search for the term will tell you this! Not to mention that "bras" is the French word for arm, not brass (cuivre), so where she got this absurd translation is beyond me.
The author is undoubtably a good writer. But is sorely in need of a ruthless editor. You can tell she relishes writing, but writes far too much! This book could have been half its length with some good editing. There is no need to go for pages into the entire history of Quakerism or of Napoleon Bonaparte, for example, when these topics happen to pop up in Dolley's timeline. The author repeats her arguments for Dolley's importance so many times that one starts to think the lady doth protest too much. If you have to phrase and rephrase your point ad nauseum... Maybe it's not a very strong position? In any case, the tone can be quite condescending.
Scattered typos throughout and a strange balance of assuming the reader has zero prior knowledge and yet expecting them to remember small details like the name of one fairly insignificant member of Congress who was mentioned in passing forty pages previously. Some factual errors as well. She describes footmen attending one of Dolley's salons as carrying chapeaux bras, which she translates as brass helmets. I'm francophone and a costume historian, so I know that this is a large flatter hat carried under the arm, not worn on the head. Even a cursory Google search for the term will tell you this! Not to mention that "bras" is the French word for arm, not brass (cuivre), so where she got this absurd translation is beyond me.
September 9, 2018
Confusing. This audiobook ended after seven hours, but had 10 more hours to go. It repeated the story, but not from the beginning, but from somewhere in the middle. It was badly put together.
The book does a great job describing Dolley's life as First Lady. Descriptions of her drawing rooms and parties, as well as her work to remodel and decorate the White House are especially vivid and detailed. How she was a political asset to Madison is also clearly drawn. I also think Ms Allgor really captures the personality of Mrs. Madison. I felt I understood her after reading this. For this, I give the book high marks.
However, while the pre-White House years are OK, the post years were not much more than a summary. I've seen better descriptions of Dolley's years following the death of her husband better written in biographies of the president himself.
I do think the expectation of entering a 17 hour audiobook instead of a 7 hour book influences some of my feelings toward it. I would like to see the publisher correct this. It is of different lengths in through various sellers, but I haven't seen one that comes in at the correct 7 hour length.
Overall, not bad.
The book does a great job describing Dolley's life as First Lady. Descriptions of her drawing rooms and parties, as well as her work to remodel and decorate the White House are especially vivid and detailed. How she was a political asset to Madison is also clearly drawn. I also think Ms Allgor really captures the personality of Mrs. Madison. I felt I understood her after reading this. For this, I give the book high marks.
However, while the pre-White House years are OK, the post years were not much more than a summary. I've seen better descriptions of Dolley's years following the death of her husband better written in biographies of the president himself.
I do think the expectation of entering a 17 hour audiobook instead of a 7 hour book influences some of my feelings toward it. I would like to see the publisher correct this. It is of different lengths in through various sellers, but I haven't seen one that comes in at the correct 7 hour length.
Overall, not bad.
January 8, 2020
Everyone knows the story of Dolly Madison saving the portrait of Washington during the war of 1812 when the British burned Washington DC. That is a wonderful story speaking to the determination, energy and nerve of a woman who was a true patriot. Allgor does a fine job giving voice to The First Lady of America, covering a period of time when women were not given credit for their contributions. Dolly Madison, as the wife of James Madison, is to be credited for being a political force all of her own, giving credence to the saying that behind every successful man is an equally, if not more so, successful woman. Dolly lived 85 years, seeing the birth of a nation and witnessing many transformations as it evolved from a republic to a true democracy. Her fabled life was not without its tragedies and she was not without flaw (the biggest being a southern woman's evasion of confrontation, particularly where her son was concerned); however, she lived with integrity and style and would rate, in my opinion, as THE Founding Mother of the country.
October 29, 2017
This book's main thesis is that Dolley Madison, by setting up the Washington DC social circle and getting Congressmen with opposing viewpoints to find common ground, helped establish the democratic form of government we have (and complain endlessly about) today. It's an interesting subject but the author does belabor the point over and over again, often telling instead of showing (although this may be due to a lack of primary historical sources). The most fascinating part to me came at the very end when the author reveals that he most famous Dolley Madison story--how she saved the portrait of George Washington right before the British invaded and burned down the White House--may have been embellished by Dolley as part of a biography about her during her later years. Is this her actual legacy or the one she wanted us to believe?
October 19, 2019
A brilliant and richly detailed biography. I admire how Allgor combines rigorous examination of primary source documents with a broad contextual analysis of the times. It’s necessary, no doubt, since so little remains (relatively speaking) of Dolley Madison’s own letters and inner thoughts. What’s tough about this book, however, is that its very rigor makes it a dense read. A reader without an interest in politics and analysis of the abstract role of gender and power in politics might find this book slow going. I’d categorize it as doing for Dolley Madison what Ron Chernow did for Alexander Hamilton — putting a complex life into its rightfully complex context but in a way that necessarily doesn’t make for a quick or easy ready.
April 8, 2025
An enjoyable insight into the life and influence of Dolley Madison. The author did a nice job of bringing in a lot of interesting facts about her life and weaving in details of her influence on Jefferson, Madison, and the burgeoning nation. As a Maryland native, I loved hearing about the hyper local sites in the War of 1812, admittedly a war not spoken about as often as others in American history.
I did listen to this on Audible and my one complaint is that the chapters weren’t in sync with audible, which made it a hard to track/a little disconcerting.
But if you’re looking for an insightful and interesting peak behind the curtain in the early Americas, this is a great read!
I did listen to this on Audible and my one complaint is that the chapters weren’t in sync with audible, which made it a hard to track/a little disconcerting.
But if you’re looking for an insightful and interesting peak behind the curtain in the early Americas, this is a great read!
December 15, 2017
Interesting. Makes the argument that Dolley Madison was almost as important, perhaps more important to the Madison presidency than her husband. Dolley Madison created a feminine space within the White House that allowed for the business of politicking to happen and to calm the overly masculine, violent tendencies of official politics of the day. She allowed her body to become the body of the state, becoming a kind of republican queen.
However, the long lists of clothes and china sometimes becomes tedious.
However, the long lists of clothes and china sometimes becomes tedious.
May 31, 2023
Selected as a 2006 Editors’ Choice book by the editors of Booklist, this biography chronicles the life of the most acclaimed female in early Washington, wife of the fourth President. Best know for saving a portrait of George Washington from the burning White House, until now her influence has not been well documented. As a skilled hostess, she developed the structure of social engagements that allowed politicians and bureaucrats to build the unofficial alliances that allowed the government to function.
July 12, 2020
I've wanted to read this for a long time. I probably first ran across Dolley Madison in the Childhood of Famous Americans series of biographies for children. It was great to read an adult recounting of her life, put in the context of her place in the lives of America's founders and how she influenced them, the beginning of life in Washington DC and how she set the tone for future First Ladies. I really enjoyed it.
October 4, 2021
It is a very detailed and historical volume. I took my time to read it as the facts were educational. The author truly loved her subject; and included all that she could research about Dolley Madison. It included the history of the United States during the time before, during and after the War of 1812. I feel more knowledgeable about this subject and recommend this book. Especially interesting as it is a few of women's place during this time.
October 6, 2018
Disagree with the view of a Jeffersonian administration being cold and aloof almost like Scrooge. As a male host at the beginning of the 19th century, it was only proper for him to minimize female visitors as there was no First Lady to serve as hostess. This was not Jefferson's fault nor was he the only president to have been in this predicament.
October 8, 2019
I picked this book up at the gift shop while visiting Montpelier. I thought it gave a very thorough telling of Dolleys life and influence in “Washington City” as well as an honest depiction of her interactions with the slaves she and James owned. I really got a feel for her personality in this book as well as for the times in which she lived .
June 12, 2020
that was very interesting. Dolly was the first "first lady" to take that position as a true job and working shaping our nation in way that no other first lady has. i think what i loved most about the book is u get a understanding of how well james and Dolly worked together. each doing their own thing but doing it knowing it was helping the other person.
July 18, 2023
Dolley Madison was influential in her time. I would have gotten this in 200 pages, not in 400. The book was fascinating in the section regarding Dolley and her actions the night Washington burned, but her later life after James (which was long) was rushed. Sometimes, Dolley was absent altogether from the narrative.
October 26, 2023
Great book. I learned a lot not only about Dolley Madison but about politics in the early 1800’s, the war of 1812, and the struggles they had establishing Washington DC as the nation’s capital. I also appreciated the incites the author had on slavery. It was not an easy read. The author is very detailed but I am so glad I read it. We need a Dolley Madison in politics today.
September 5, 2019
This book was only impressive in its repetitiveness. Oh, and how much of a book about a woman was actually about men. We didn’t need to know pages and pages of details of war battles and generals in a biography about the First Lady in the WH at the time.
March 15, 2020
DNF I read about 35%. It was interesting enough but it dragged and I feel like Dolly’s life could be explained in half the pages of this book but the rest is information about various different political situations and persons.
March 25, 2021
Loved the topic and the writing. Catherine Allgor has written a history book that is interesting from beginning to end. She uses primary sources well and yet it is very readable. Good example of a well written, history book that's academic but not boring!
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