Dolley Payne Todd Madison w Waszyngtonie (1801–1817, 1837–1849)
Dolley Payne Todd Madison in Washington (1801–1817, 1837–1849)

Summary/Abstract: From a Quacker girl to the best-known woman in the United States. Dolley Payne Madison’s life is truly remarkable. Especially interesting is her time in Washington D.C., the city built to be a symbol of American federalism. She lived there all together for a total of 26 years. In 1801 her husband, James Madison, became the secretary of state in the administration of Thomas Jefferson. Consequently, the whole Madison family moved to the new seat of government. During that time the federal city looked more like a swampy village than a nation’s capital. There were only a few households, boarding houses and unfinished federal buildings. The city turned out to be perfect for Dolley. The social scene almost didn’t exist and had to be established. That gave her a blank slate which she quickly filled up. Due to the president being a widower Dolley was asked to serve as a hostess during one of official dinners. She impressed Jefferson so much with the way she entertained guests that soon she became the official hostess of the President’s House. That gave her a unique position in Washington society and she had a perfect personality for the role. She was kind, warm and she made everybody feel comfortable. This position put her often in the middle of political events and diplomatic confrontations as was with the Merry Affair and gave her an opportunity to meet the greatest people of their times such as painter Gilbert Stuart, naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt or explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Apart from her role in the President’s House she held her own drawing rooms which became the most popular events in the young society. After her husband’s inauguration in 1809 Dolley took over the reign over federal city with all the consequences. Now, she could give her own personal touch to the rules of protocols. She continued with her drawing rooms and state dinners adding “dove parties” to the scene. She celebrated the wedding of her sister, Lucy, the first one ever to take place in the President’s House. She was elegant in her attire and behavior but also very approachable. Every inch a queen. Madison’s second term was shadowed by war of 1812 which led to the most known picture of Dolley running from the President’s House with the portrait of George Washington in her arms. Since then several accounts appeared renouncing her story. Nevertheless, until her death she claimed her role in the event. British forces burned down most of the city. The picture was terrifying. Dolley quickly resumed her drawing rooms to give her fellow residents a feeling of unity. She also engaged in a charity co-founding the first orphanage in the city. After her husband’s retirement the family moved to Montpelier. The second time she resided in Washington took place after James Madison’s death. This time she came to the federal city in a new role as a Washington icon. No event could take place without her attendance. She visited the Capitol to listen to debates. She took part in president’s inauguration, official balls and state dinners. She was the first to send a private message through telegraph. She was well loved and respected until the last days. She died on July 12, 1849 in the city she helped to shape, in the house which faced the President’s House where she had spent so many days.

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