Ellen Axson Wilson
1913-1914

Ellen Louise Axson was born on May 15, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia.
She lead a charmed life and attended the Female Seminary in Rome, Georgia.

She was an accomplished painter.

While in Rome, GA. she met Woodrow Wilson a lawyer from Atlanta. They met in 1883.

He continued his education and she studied painting.

Ellen was 25 when she married Woodrow on June 24, 1885. They were married by two ministers, her grandfather and Woodrow's father.

Library of Congress

Mrs. Wilson would proof read articles that Mr. Wilson wrote.

They had three daughters, Margaret, Jessie, and Eleanor.

She believed Woodrow would achieve greatness. She helped him with his speeches, courted politicians, and gave him political advice. She was thrilled when he was elected president.

Ellen continued her painting even when she was First Lady.

She lobbied for improvements for women and black people living in Washington, D.C. She was responsible for the passing of a slum clearance bill. The bill was called the Ellen Wilson Bill.

Mrs. Wilson got ill in 1914 with kidney disease. She died on August 6, 1914. She was buried with her parents in Rome, Georgia.

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.