Author Archives: Feather Schwartz Foster

Unknown's avatar

About Feather Schwartz Foster

Feather Schwartz Foster is an author-historian who has made more than 500 appearances discussing presidential history. She teaches adult education at the Christopher Wren Association (affiliated with William and; Mary College), and adult Education programs at Christopher Newport University. She has been a guest on the C-SPAN "First Ladies" program. She has written five books.

Mrs. Coolidge and Baseball: A Love Affair

Calvin Coolidge liked baseball so-so. But First Lady Grace Coolidge was a enthusiastic fan! Coolidge the Indifferent Sport Calvin Coolidge was always a hard fellow to figure, unless, of course, you were a New Englander. Then he was easy to … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Calvin Coolidge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Robert E. Lee at the Crossroads

  April 9, 1865 was only the beginning of a difficult time in the life of Robert E. Lee. The Surrender It was a horrible day for General Robert E. Lee (1807-1870). He has been famously quoted as preferring to … Continue reading

Posted in American Civil War, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Thomas Jefferson’s Merry Party

Thomas Jefferson was a sophisticated gentleman, not usually associated with rudeness, but… President Jefferson’s Hosting Attitudes Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) had grown up in a time and place of elegance and form. As a young student at William and Mary, he … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Nifty History People, Thomas Jefferson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mary Lincoln: The Last Sad Years

In late 1880, Mary Lincoln, no longer able to live on her own, left Europe and returned to live with her sister in Springfield, Illinois. She was sixty-one. The Widow Lincoln in Exile When Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in April, … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Benjamin Harrison and the Washington Centennial. And Me.

The 100th anniversary of George Washington’s Inaugural Centennial in New York City was a very big deal. The Inauguration of George Washington George Washington was elected unanimously and with no opposition.  Everyone was enthusiastic about the new President of the … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Benjamin Harrison, George Washington | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

John Hay, TR and Lincoln’s Hair

John Hay had just graduated from Brown University when he met Abraham Lincoln. Hay and Lincoln John Hay (1838-1905) was the nephew of Milton Hay, an Illinois attorney and friend of Abraham Lincoln, nominated in 1860 as the Republican candidate … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, Nifty History People, Theodore Roosevelt | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

An FDR White House Christmas

For twelve years, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt occupied in the White House and spent more Christmas holidays there than any other first family. Strictly Roosevelt Traditions Some holiday traditions are more or less universal. Then, of course, there are those … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Franklin D. Roosevelt | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Ike ’52: The Best known Candidate of All

Dwight David Eisenhower was past 60 when he ran for President in 1952. Ike: Boy to Man There is virtually nothing in the early years of Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969) that would point to the glories of his maturity. He … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Dwight D. Eisenhower | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Unusual For Their TIme: On the Road With America’s First Ladies, Vol 1: A Book Review

Andy Ochs has written an extremely unique book. It is part historical-ish, part biographical-ish, part memoir-ish, part travelogue-ish – and completely delightful! Contracted to film C-SPAN’s First Ladies series in 2014-15, the author-cum-camera toured the country visiting the homes, birthplaces … Continue reading

Posted in Recommended Reading | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

James Madison’s Romantic Lesson

James Madison, a bachelor of 43, had a history of romantic disappointment. The Non-Imposing Jemmy Madison James Madison (1751-1836) was a man of small physical stature, anywhere between 5′ and 5’6″ tall, depending on which sources you espouse. But no … Continue reading

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, James Madison | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments