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.

The Sons of Varina Davis

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

One of the little-known tragedies of Varina Davis’ life was that she survived all four of her sons. Samuel Emery Davis (1852-54) Forty-four year old Jefferson Davis and his twenty-six year old wife Varina had been married for seven years. … Continue reading →

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Rachel Jackson’s Inaugural Gown

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

  The Smithsonian Institution maintains a priceless collection of First Ladies’ inaugural gowns – at least those of the past hundred years. But if they had collected and maintained every First Lady’s inaugural gowns, the most valuable could arguably be … Continue reading →

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George Washington’s Losing Battle: Educating Jack Custis

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

No matter how hard he tried, George Washington was never going to make a scholar out of his stepson.  George Washington’s Inherited Family When George Washington met and married the widow Martha Dandridge Custis in January, 1759, he inherited her … Continue reading →

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Calvin Coolidge Takes the Oath of Office

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) was sworn in as the 30th US President by his own father – one of those quirks of history not likely to be repeated. Calvin Coolidge: Political Mediocrity Nothing in Calvin Coolidge’s background ever suggested that he … Continue reading →

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Woodrow and Edith Wilson: Honeymooners

Posted on April 5, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

The widowed Wilson married the widowed Mrs. Galt only eight months after they had met. The Wilsons:  A New First Couple The morning of December 16, 1915, Woodrow Wilson was a happy man.  Aides said the new bridegroom was whistling … Continue reading →

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The Year of Four First Ladies: 1860-1861

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Two First Ladies born in a year is unusual; three is rare. Four is extraordinary. Four First Ladies Are Born    Between 1860 and 1861, four little girls were born who eventually would marry men who became Unites States Presidents. One … Continue reading →

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The Jackson Inaugural Brawl

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

    Andrew Jackson was a 62-year old widower when he was inaugurated in 1829. Jackson’s Road to the White House: The road to the White House was a long one for Andrew Jackson.  His laborer father was killed in an … Continue reading →

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Theodore Roosevelt: A Man for a Continent

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Theodore Roosevelt was a remarkable man in many ways, not the least of which, was his broad appeal to all sectors of the country. Theodore Roosevelt:  Northerner Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was born and raised in New York City.  He was … Continue reading →

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Varina Davis as a New York Yankee

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

The last years of The First Lady of the Confederacy were spent as a New York Yankee. Varina Davis:  A Northern Lineage Although Varina Howell Davis (1826-1906) was born and raised in Natchez, Mississippi, she had prominent Northerners on her … Continue reading →

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President Garfield’s Doctors: A Keystone Tragic-Comedy Part II

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

 President Garfield spent two months after his assassination attempt, lying in bed at the White House during the hottest weeks in memory. James Garfield, President for barely four months, had survived the night following an assassination attempt on July 2, … Continue reading →

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