|
 |
Harriet Lane Johnston - for Buchanan
Date of Birth: May 9, 1830
Date of Death: July 3, 1903
Age at death: 73
Married: Jan 11, 1866
Hostess
for James Buchanan
Children: 2 |
 |
- James Buchanan and Grover Cleveland
entered the presidency as bachelors
- Once engaged, Buchanan remained unwed,
while Cleveland married in office
- Buchanan appointed Harriet Lane, the
daughter of his sister Jane, as official hostess in 1957
- "Uncle Buck," as she called
him, was not impressed with her first State reception as she
cancelled the libation order, and failed to book a band
- It was her idea to have greenhouses
constructed at the White House; torn down in 1902 in the West
Wing expansion
- Often referred to as "Our Democratic
Queen," the Steamship U.S.S. Harriet Lane, now a coast guard
cutter, was named in her honor
- She was also the subject for the popular
song of the day, Listen To The Mockingbird
- Harriet married Henry Elliot Johnston
of Baltimore during her uncle's presidency
- They had two sons, neither of whom
survived to adulthood
- Through her efforts she convinced
people to donated art tresures to the Smithsonian, which eventually
led to the creation of the Museum of Fine Arts
- Following her tenure in the White
House, she devoted her life to promoting and raising funds for
various charities
- When Edward Albert Prince of Wales
visited the United States, Harriet introduced him to the newest
American rage, bowling
- With no flair for diplomacy, she won
every game
|
|
|