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.

Harriet Lane Johnston: The Unknown “First Lady”

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

    Harriet Lane (1830-1903) was technically a Presidential “hostess.”  Nevertheless, she was “hostess” for four full years. Harriet Lane:  A Basic Overview Harriet Lane (1830-1903) was orphaned at nine years old, and her bachelor Uncle James Buchanan, already a well-to-do … Continue reading →

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President Garfield’s Doctors: A Tragi-Comedy Part I

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Charles Guiteau admitted that he shot the President, but “it was the doctors who killed him.”  The assassin was certifiably insane, but he wasn’t stupid.  Everybody in the country knew it was the medical men who botched the care of … Continue reading →

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Warren Harding, The Ladies Man

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

No doubt about it, Warren G. Harding liked the fillies, but his taste was more toward fast trotters than thoroughbreds.      Warren G. Harding and his Duchess Historians have always wondered why Warren G. Harding (1865-1923) married Florence Kling DeWolfe … Continue reading →

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Jane Pierce and Varina Davis: An Unlikely Friendship

Posted on February 15, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Historians are usually negative about First Lady Jane Pierce or tsk-tsk about the tragedies in her life, which were considerable.  Jane Appleton Pierce: A Tragic woman Jane Pierce (1806-63) despite her tragedies, is not a particularly sympathetic character. She was … Continue reading →

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The Relatives of Abraham Lincoln

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Abraham Lincoln frankly alluded to his humble beginnings, but he never included his kinfolk in his life. Abraham Lincoln: The Humble Birthright In 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, to Thomas Lincoln and the former Nancy Hanks. … Continue reading →

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Martha Washington’s Dinner Table

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Martha Washington’s dining room table was her pride and joy. Martha Washington: Plantation Mistress Martha was a twenty-seven year old widow whose late husband had a vast fortune in land and property, along with that rarest of all Colonial commodities: … Continue reading →

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Garret A. Hobart : The First “Modern” Veep

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Few people realize how history might have been changed but for the death of Garret A. Hobart Garret Hobart: The Unknown Running-Mate Garret Augustus Hobart (1844-1899), born and raised in New Jersey, educated at Rutgers University, was a prominent attorney, … Continue reading →

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Dolley Madison in Plain Clothes

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

For the first twenty-five years of her life, Dolley Payne Todd Madison wore Quaker gray gowns and bonnets. Dolley:  A Strict Upbringing Dolley Payne (1768-1849) was born and raised into a strict Quaker family.  Her father, John Payne, was a … Continue reading →

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Woodrow Wilson Proposes to Edith Galt

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

President Woodrow Wilson proposed to the Widow Galt only two months after they met. The Wilson Secret Engagement Woodrow Wilson had adored his wife of thirty years, and was understandably devastated and depressed when she died, only fifteen months after … Continue reading →

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Jefferson Davis: The Petticoat Story

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Jefferson Davis’ reputation will forever be tainted by foolish innuendo. Jefferson Davis: CSA’s Flawed Leader The Confederate president was a man of polarities.  Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) had some excellent character traits.  He was a courteous and surprisingly generous Southern gentleman.  … Continue reading →

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