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.

Destiny of the Republic: A Book Review

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Its subtitle, “A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President” says it all. The Assassination of James A. Garfield Shooting a President, his lingering death, unbelievably incompetent doctors and a deranged assassin makes for a fine and … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, James Garfield, Recommended Reading | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mary Lincoln’s Tablecloth: A Metaphor

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

In an apt metaphor, Mary brought the tablecloth and the good dishes to the Lincoln table.     Mary Lincoln is unquestionably a divisive figure. She was divisive in her own time, and nearly two centuries later, remains so. People either … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, American Civil War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Thomas Jefferson’s Enlightened Palate

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Thomas Jefferson was always a slender man. He ate sparingly – but what he ate was always magnificently prepared from the finest ingredients available. Thomas Jefferson was unquestionably born with a brilliant and curious mind. As the poster  child of … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Presidential Sites, Thomas Jefferson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dolley Madison’s Heartache: Payne Todd

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Dolley and James Madison had no children of their own. John Payne Todd was the son of her first marriage.   Dolley and James Madison Are Wed  The Widow Todd, as she was then called, was helping manage her mother’s … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, James Madison, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Quentin & Flora: A Roosevelt and a Vanderbilt in Love during the Great War : A Book Review

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Quentin & Flora: A Roosevelt and a Vanderbilt in Love during the Great War focuses on two years of a love story – but it is a wonderful love story, family story and coming-of-age story, all against the background of … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Reading, Theodore Roosevelt | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Nellie Taft, Edwardian

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

  No one wanted to be First Lady more than Helen Herron Taft!  The Root of Nellie Taft’s Ambition Nellie Taft (1861-1943) had her eye on the White House from her teens.  Her family was prominent in Cincinnati, Ohio, and … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, William Howard Taft | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

General Grant Saves General Lee

Posted on May 28, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

On April 9, 1865, Ulysses S. Grant became the most popular man in America. Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House Civil War Victory: The Euphoria The news was instantaneously carried by telegraph wire across the country – North … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, American Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

The Family Feud of the Second Mrs. Harrison

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Benjamin Harrison and his second wife, Mary Lord Dimmick created a near-scandal when they married, and the family never forgave them. The Twenty-Third President’s Menage When Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901) came to the White House in 1889, he brought a large … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Benjamin Harrison, Nifty History People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Dolley Madison and the Inaugural Ball

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Dolley Madison was already a superstar when James Madison was elected President in 1808. The Early Inaugurals The inaugurations of George Washington had been solemn affairs, both in New York City and Philadelphia. No government of the “we the people” … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, James Madison | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Caroline Harrison Electrifies The White House

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

   New York City was electrified n the early 1880s, but the White House would not be on the grid until 1891. Benjamin Harrison Arrives in Washington Incumbent Democrat Grover Cleveland was running for a second term against Republican Benjamin … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Benjamin Harrison | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment