The Gilded Age of First Ladies

Presidential historian Richard Norton Smith talked about the private lives and public roles of the first ladies of the Gilded Age and how they contributed to the nation. He focused on Mary Lincoln, who was a polarizing figure in the press, Lucy Hayes, who was the first presidential spouse to have graduated from college, and Frances Cleveland, who married into the White House. Mr. Smith was interviewed by Bill Lacy and responded to questions from members of the audience.

“Mary and Her Sisters” was part of the 2014 Presidential Lecture Series, “The First Ladies: Intimate Sacrifice, Honored Post,” held by the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. close