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.

Harding and Taft: Making An Old Man Happy

Every so often, dreams do come true. Even in politics Ex-President Taft: A Public Career William Howard Taft (1857-1932) spent his entire life in public service: as judge, as Solicitor General, as Governor of the Philippines, as Cabinet member and … Continue reading

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Edith Roosevelt: Raising Eagles

Edith Carow Roosevelt was a mother of six when she became First Lady in 1901. The “Other” Mrs. Roosevelt Over the past seventy-five years or more, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt has eclipsed the name of the “other” Mrs Roosevelt, her … Continue reading

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The Tragedies of General James Longstreet

James G. Longstreet’s reputation has been a controversial yo-yo for more than 150 years. Pete. James G. Longstreet (1821-1904) was nicknamed Pete in infancy, and it stuck throughout his long life. Born in SC to a large family of Dutch … Continue reading

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FLOTUS Ellen Wilson: American Impressionist

While many First Ladies displayed some artistic gifts, Ellen Wilson was arguably the most talented. Ellen Axson: Child to Woman Ellen Axson Wilson (1860-1914) was bookended by war: Born just as the American Civil War was about to start, dying … Continue reading

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Saying Goodbye to FDR

Death is always private, but the death of a world figure becomes a public event. President Roosevelt’s Health When Franklin Delano Roosevelt died in April, 1945, the world was stunned. He had been US president for twelve years, just recently … Continue reading

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U.S.Grant and the U.S. Mail

Mail call has always been one of the key ingredients of soldier morale and  frequently the high point of his day. A Literate War The Civil War is considered by most historians as the “first modern war” for a variety … Continue reading

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Lincoln. Mary. Robert. War.

Of all the decisions Abraham Lincoln was obliged to make during his administration, few were as personally difficult as his son’s participation in the Army. Robert’s Story Robert Todd Lincoln had just entered Harvard when his father was inaugurated in … Continue reading

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FLOTUS McKinley: White House Invalid

Many historians claim William McKinley would have been a far greater president had he not been so distracted by his invalid wife. Ida McKinley: Candidate’s Wife Shortly before the 1896 election, William and Ida McKinley celebrated their Silver Anniversary. More … Continue reading

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BACK OVER THERE: A Book Review

One hundred years ago, after futilely preaching neutrality for three years, President Woodrow Wilson, exhausted of options, finally entered “the war to end all wars” so the world could be made safe for democracy. Two million young American fellows left … Continue reading

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William Henry Harrison: The Big Lie

The “log cabin and hard cider” persona associated with William Henry Harrison was not only a myth, it was an out and out fabrication. Berkeley’s FFV: William Henry Harrison (1772-1841) was born at Berkeley Plantation, one of Virginia’s oldest estates … Continue reading

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