Edith Wilson
1915-1921

Edith Bolling was born in Wytherville, Virginia on October 15, 1872.
Her father, William Bolling was a circuit court judge.

Edith was a descendant of Pocahontas.

She married Norman Galt in 1896. He died in 1908. Edith took over running their jewelry store.

She met President Wilson on a visit to the White House in April 1915. Wilson first wife had died in August of 1914.

They were engaged in September of 1915. Wilson's advisors were worried that his marrying so soon would hurt his political career. However, they were married on December 18, 1915.

Library of Congress

On October 2, 1919 Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed.

Edith and others thought he should resign the as President, but the doctors encouraged him to continue.

After that Edith allowed only people she approved to see the President. She also reviewed any official papers he needed to see. She also relayed his decisions to officials in the government. She was accused of grabbing power which she denied.

Some people say she was our first woman president.

Wilson got somewhat better, but died in February 1924.

She wrote a book about her experiences as First Lady titled My Memoir.

Her last public appearance was in 1961, she rode in President John Kennedy's inaugural parade.

She died on her husband's birthday, December 28, 1961. She was 89.

Edith is buried next to President Wilson on the grounds of the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.

Visit our site on U.S. Presidents

Books and Websites

Books

Smithsonian Presidents and First Ladiesby James Barber and Amy Pastan.
First Ladies: Women Who Called The White House Home (First Ladies) by Beatrice Gormeley.

Websites

http://www.firstladies.org/ National First Ladies Library
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/list/058_flal.htmlLibrary of Congress, Images of the First Ladies

Comments and/or corrections should be sent to Jim at jim@anewadventure.org.