On May 9, 2005,
Harriet Lane, niece of President James Buchanan, and the first woman
to be called First Lady, celebrated her 175th birthday (May 9, 1830-July
3, 1903). Harriet Lane was the most admired and influential woman
in 19th Century America. In a recent interview on Global Talk Radio’s
“A Story to Tell” (www.globaltalkradio.com), Milton
Stern said, “To imagine Harriet Lane’s influence,
think of Jackie Kennedy. She had the same impact on her contemporaries.”
From her debut
in London society to her scandalous inaugural gown to her days as
the grand dame of Washington society, Harriet Lane earned the admiration
of women all over the world. In addition, her legacy thrives to
this day through the Harriet
Lane Outpatient Clinics, The Pediatric and Teaching Hospital at
Johns Hopkins University, St. Albans School for Boys in Washington,
DC, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and countless other beneficiaries
of her great generosity.
According to
Beverly Nissenbaum (Cleveland Park), “From tomboy to hostess
of fabulous White House parties, Stern relates the real story of
Harriet Lane, and it is a delightful read. It is a scholarly work
that reads like a novel and has plenty of footnotes for the more
advanced study of American presidential history. This is a long
overdue account of the life and times of Harriet Lane. Stern also
brings to light the very likely fact that Buchanan had a decades
long homosexual relationship with Vice President William Rufus Devane
King. The Jackie Kennedy of antebellum America, Harriet Lane’s
role as lady of the house, hostess, and escort of James Buchanan
enabled him to entertain as Senator, Ambassador, and President of
the United States. A sexy, athletic and cultured woman, adored by
high society, and an outspoken supporter of the poor, sick, and
enslaved, Harriet Lane was a real doer in philanthropy. Harriet
Lane, America’s First Lady is a must read for anyone interested
in American women’s history.”
The George Washington’s
Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens Library Staff says “We look
forward to including Harriet Lane, America’s First Lady in
our library collection. It is a unique addition to the reference
material available to employees and
scholars. Our staff is always interested in learning about Mount
Vernon Ladies’ Association and its Regents and Vice-Regents.
Lily Macalester’s friendship with Harriet Lane will certainly
be of interest to them, as will Harriet Lane’s consideration
of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association in her will. ... ongratulations
on concluding this most noteworthy project! ... We wish you much
success with your future endeavors.”
Andrew Marcus
(Washington, DC) wrote, “This is a great read and an important
book. Through detailed research, Mr. Stern has brought Ms. Lane
back to life, and in so doing, he has preserved the memory of an
important figure in our nation’s history.”
Gilbert Swift
(New York) added, “Stern’s “Harriet Lane, America’s
First Lady” is as entertaining as it is informative - a fun,
pithy read.”
Asked why he
wrote her story, Stern replied, “I have total respect for
Harriet Lane, who, in a time when women did not have political clout,
used her beauty,
intelligence and charm to push legislation through Congress that
aided prison and hospital reform and stopped the illegal liquor
trade on Indian reservations.” He continued, “And she
entertained in a style that would not be witnessed again until
Jackie Kennedy became First Lady 100 years later.”
Harriet Lane, America’s First Lady is now available, go to
www.harrietlane.net for more information.
Milton Stern
will be giving a lecture at James Buchanan’s Wheatland in
Lancaster, PA, November 15, 2005, entitled, “Harriet Lane’s
continuing influence on the cities of Baltimore and Washington.”
Go to www.wheatland.org for more information.
Milton Stern
is available for lectures, readings and interviews: Email: miltonstern@harrietlane.net
Phone: 202-247-1149