Harriet Lane Johnston*
1857-1861

*James Buchanan was the first bachelor to become President. When he took office, Harriet, his 26 year old neice served as his official hostess.

Harriet Lane was born on May 9, 1830 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

She went to a private school and studied at the Visitation Convent in Georgetown.

Harriet joined her uncle in Landon when he was minister to Great Britain.

She became friends with Queen Victoria.

When James became President his now 26 year old neice moved into the White House and became the official hostess. Washington's social group was glad to have her after the depressing years with Pierce in office. She was sometimes referred to as the "Democratic Queen."

After the presidency, Harriet married when she was 35. She married a banker named Henry Johnson.

Henry died 18 years after they were married. They had two sons. Neither son lived to adulthood.

She left her extensive art collection to the Smithsonian Institute. She also left most of her estate to the invalid children at John Hopkins Hospital. There is still a Harriet Lane Outpatient Clinic at the hospital.

Harriet died in July 3, 1903 in Rhode Island. She was 75

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.