Origins & Early Life

Dolley Todd Madison (née Payne; May 20, 1768 – July 12, 1849) was the wife of James Madison, the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. She was known for holding Washington social functions to which she invited members of both political parties, essentially spearheading the concept of bipartisan cooperation. Previous founders such as Thomas Jefferson would only meet with members of one party at a time, and politics could often be a violent affair resulting in physical altercations and even duels. Madison helped to create the idea that members of each party could amicably socialize, network, and negotiate with each other without violence.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Through these innovations, Dolley Madison did much to define the role of the president's spouse, known only much later by the title First Lady—a function she had sometimes performed earlier for the widowed Thomas Jefferson. Madison also helped to furnish the newly constructed White House. When the British set fire to it in 1814, she was credited with saving Gilbert Stuart's 1796 portrait of George Washington; she directed her personal slave Paul Jennings to save it. In widowhood, she often lived in poverty aggravated by her son John...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Arthur Guinness II — Contemporary (Born in 1768) (1768): Anglo-Irish brewer, banker, and politician who managed the expansion of the Guinness brewery.
• Canaletto — Contemporary (Died in 1768) (1768): Master Vedutista: Celebrated painter of Venetian and Roman cityscapes.
• Charlotte Corday — Contemporary (Born in 1768) (1768): Aristocratic sympathizer who assassinated Jean-Paul Marat during the French Revolution.
• Alfred von Tirpitz — Contemporary (Born in 1849) (1849): Architect of the modern German battle fleet and naval expansionist.
• August Strindberg — Contemporary (Born in 1849) (1849): Pioneering Swedish literary figure, playwright, and essayist of the late 19th century.
• Basil Zaharoff — Contemporary (Born in 1849) (1849): Greek industrialist and arms dealer, known as a 'merchant of death' in global conflicts.
• Allan Nevins — Shared historical date (05-20 · Born) (1890): Pioneering American historian known for Civil War studies and business history.
• Andrew Scheer — Shared historical date (05-20 · Born) (1979): Canadian politician, former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.
• Alfred Dreyfus — Shared historical date (07-12 · Died) (1935): French Army officer central to the antisemitic Dreyfus Affair, sparking a major political crisis.
• Amedeo Modigliani — Shared historical date (07-12 · Born) (1884): Italian painter and sculptor known for elongated, modern portraits and nudes.
• 1768 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1768
• May 20 (05-20) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 20
• 1849 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1849
• July 12 (07-12) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 12