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Elizabeth Kortright Monroe
Date of Birth: June 30, 1768
Date of Death: Sept 23, 1830
Age at death: 62
Married: Sept 15, 1794 -
James Monroe
Children: 3

  • Mrs. Monroe and her daughters ignored inquiries and courtesy calls from prominent socialites, as well as cabinet and congressional wives
  • By the middle of her husband's first term, most women excused themselves from White House events
  • Much to the embarrassment of the president the guest list turned primarily stag, and at his insistence she and the girls mended the impending social scars
  • As did the Madison's, the Monroe's lived at Octagon House during the reconstruction of the White House, completed in 1817
  • In 1820 Maria Monroe was the first daughter of a president to wed at the White House
  • To refurbish the White House, burned in the War of 1812, the Monroe's sold their furnishings to the government for $9,000 .
  • Considered a woman of high stature, and regarded as one of the best dressed women of the day, Elizabeth donned the latest fashions from France, and insisted French cuisine and French wine be served at all White House functions