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.

Julia Grant: Sleeping With the General

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Feather Schwartz Foster

This is Julia’s story. She saw it first hand. General Grant’s One-Two Punch For twenty years, General Ulysses S. Grant had been at the pinnacle: victorious Union General, the Hero of Appomattox, two-term POTUS and world traveler, hosted by kings … Continue reading →

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William Henry Harrison: The Windy Inaugural

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Feather Schwartz Foster

William Henry Harrison was a well-known “dark horse” President – if such a thing is possible. WHH: Virginia Patrician Contrary to the myth, William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) was as well-born as any First Family of Virginia could be. His family … Continue reading →

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Florence Harding’s Hatpin Story

Posted on August 13, 2018 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Florence Harding loved politics – and she was a very savvy woman. The Harding: Introduction to Politics Florence Harding was thirty when she married Warren Gamaliel Harding. He was five years younger, the publisher of a weekly newspaper and the … Continue reading →

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Eleanor Roosevelt: The Red Cross Uniform

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Eleanor Roosevelt begged to visit the soldiers in the Pacific. The Red Cross Uniform Circa WWI The American Red Cross, begun following the Civil War, had its antecedents in Europe even before the Civil War. Clara Barton had been a … Continue reading →

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VP Thomas Marshall and the Flag

Posted on July 30, 2018 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Thomas Marshall is one of the unknown and generally disregarded Vice Presidents….but… About Tom Marshall Thomas Riley Marshall (1854-1925) was an attorney, and like James Madison, diminutive in stature – perhaps only 5’2 or 3”. An Indiana Hoosier, he gravitated … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Nifty History People, Woodrow Wilson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lou Hoover and the Cow-Pup

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Lou Henry Hoover had one of the most interesting lives of any First Lady. A Brief Background: Lou Henry (1874-1944) was Iowa born, but her family moved to California when she was a small child, and California was still part … Continue reading →

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William McKinley: The Carnation Story

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Few Presidents were as genuinely considerate as William McKinley. Poor Boy Makes Good William McKinley (1843-1901) was one of seven children born to an Ohio iron-worker and his wife. They were poor, devout Methodists, but firmly focused on their children’s … Continue reading →

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George Washington and the Rules of Civility

Posted on July 9, 2018 by Feather Schwartz Foster

If you visit any George Washington-related national site, the gift shop usually includes a slim volume of George Washington’s Rules of Civility. The Processes of 18th Century Education When George Washington was born in 1732, schools as we know them, … Continue reading →

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1861: A Year of Six Presidents

Posted on July 2, 2018 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration in 1861 set many precedents. Presidential Precedents. Abraham Lincoln was a President of many firsts: The first POTUS born west of the Appalachian Mountains (KY); the elected first from Illinois; the first elected by popular plurality in … Continue reading →

Posted in A POTUS-FLOTUS Blog, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, John Tyler, Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Harry Truman’s Best Birthday Present

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Feather Schwartz Foster

Harry Truman was just shy of his 61st birthday when he became President. HST: The Unprepared Vice President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) was elected Democratic Senator from Missouri in 1934, two years after  Franklin Delano Roosevelt was first elected Democratic … Continue reading →

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