Author Archives: Feather Schwartz Foster

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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.

James Buchanan and the Prince of Wales

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Albert Edward, Prince of Wales had always been a concern to his parents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The Prince and his Parents Prince Bertie, as his family called him, was a genial, warm-hearted and pleasure-loving fellow, and would remain … Continue reading →

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Calvin Coolidge and Hell

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Feather Schwartz Foster

In 1920, the office of Vice President was considered a geopolitical accommodation, thus inconsequential. Calvin Coolidge, Vice Presidential Candidate Few vice presidential resumes were more inconsequential than that of Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933). Born in Vermont, he graduated Amherst College and … Continue reading →

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First Lady Nellie Taft and the CSO

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Helen Herron Taft had two passions in her life. First and foremost was politics. Then came music. Nellie Taft: Musician and Politician Piano lessons was practically a given in most nineteenth century middle-class families. Of course, then as now, not … Continue reading →

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Abraham Lincoln and His Father-in-Law

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Abraham Lincoln never had a chance to spend serious time with Robert Smith Todd, his father-in-law, but there was a solid bond nevertheless. Miss Mary Todd, Bride When Abraham Lincoln married Miss Mary Todd, he was nearly thirty-three. She was … Continue reading →

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Martha Washington: The White House Portrait

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Feather Schwartz Foster

The huge portrait of Martha Washington that balances the famous Gilbert Stuart painting of her husband, was painted more than seventy five years after her death. White House Portraits Before photography had advanced sufficiently to achieve artistic popularity, a portrait … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, George Washington, Nifty History People, Rutherford Hayes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ida McKinley: Congressional Invalid

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Ida McKinley had suffered through one of the worst years anyone could imagine. The trauma would be permanent. The McKinleys Move to Washington Losing both their small children, and having his young wife’s health permanently impaired by phlebitis and “unnameable” … Continue reading →

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Alice Hathaway Lee: The First Mrs. TR

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Few people know it, but Theodore Roosevelt was married twice. He was married at twenty-two. Three years later, his wife died in childbirth. Theodore Roosevelt: Suitor Theodore Roosevelt was home-schooled or privately tutored for most of his youth, partly because … Continue reading →

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Grace Coolidge in the Kitchen

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Feather Schwartz Foster

When Calvin Coolidge wanted to marry Miss Grace Goodhue, her parents were not happy. The Coolidge Proposal Some time after Calvin Coolidge began seeing the pretty Miss Goodhue, he took her to meet his family.  They liked her. Everybody did. … Continue reading →

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William Howard Taft and the Bathtub(s)

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Feather Schwartz Foster

William Howard Taft was a big baby who became a big boy who became a very big man. WHT: The Big Guy William Howard Taft (1857-1930) came from a very prominent Cincinnati, Ohio family. His father had served in Grant’s … Continue reading →

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VP Charlie Curtis and His Data Base

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Charles Curtis is one of our most obscure Vice Presidents, known only for being part  Indian, as they used to call it, and he was proud of it. Charlie the Kaw Charles Curtis (1860-1936) was a Kansan, born as the … Continue reading →

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