Elizabeth Monroe

On her deathbed, Elizabeth Monroe ordered her letters burned in her desire for privacy. History has only an impression of a woman who was the constant companion and devoted wife of James Monroe. There is a glimpse of her bravery in war-torn France as she brazenly demanded a visit with Marquise Adrienne de La Fayette in her prison cell — saving her from certain death at the guillotine. As First Lady, Elizabeth was viciously attacked during her White House tenure for her lack of social leadership following the esteemed and exuberant Dolley Madison. Privately, she was not in good health and held her ground as First Lady by not returning social calls to the White House.