America's First Ladies

This week we cover the election of 1820, James's second term as president, and his lasting policy legacy: the Monroe Doctrine. It's another episode where Elizabeth makes only sporadic appearances, mostly with illnesses. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-10/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover most of James's first term as president, including relations with Spain regarding the Floridas and the complicated situation that led to the Missouri Compromise. This episode is sadly lacking in Elizabeth-related material, but the family does make an appearance toward the end. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-9/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover the beginning of James and Elizabeth's first four years as President and First Lady (even though, you know, she wasn't called by that title). And this episode contains the most first-hand quotes about Elizabeth's appearance and decorum as a hostess, so let's be grateful for that! Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-8/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we take a quick jaunt through the War of 1812, focusing on it from the Monroes' perspective, rather than the Madisons'. And we cover the election of 1816 and James's inauguration as the 5th POTUS. Transcript available at  americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-7/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we follow James's diplomatic maneuvers in London, the family's trip back to America, the birth of the Monroes' first grandchild, and end up on the doorstep of the War of 1812. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-6/ Music by Matt Dull

This week James wraps up his terms as Virginia governor, and then is appointed as special minister to France and Spain to acquire New Orleans and the Floridas from France and Spain. So the entire Monroe family, this time with a young child, sails for France once again. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-5/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover the remainder of James and Elizabeth's time in France, the birth of their second child, and that time when James and Alexander Hamilton almost fought a duel, which was prevented by none other than Aaron Burr. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-4/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we travel with the Monroes to France, where James takes up his post as American minister, and Elizabeth undertakes a special mission to save the life of Adrienne de Lafayette, wife of the Marquis de Lafayette. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-3/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover the period from the Monroes' marriage in 1786 through 1792. The Monroes bounce back and forth between Virginia and Philadelphia, and Elizabeth gives birth to their first child. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-2/ Music by Matt Dull

We kick off Season 5 with an introduction to Elizabeth Kortright and James Monroe, covering their early lives up until the point when the met, sometime in 1785. Transcript and portrait of Elizabeth available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-1/ Links to sources materials for this season available at https://americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-5/ Music by  Matt Dull

This week we wrap up our jaunt through 2000 years of Anglo-French relations by covering (albeit briefly) everything that happened between the 1490s and 2026. Spoiler alert: it's a lot of wars. And marriages. And assassinations. Transcript available at  americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-4-supplemental-part-iii/ Music by Matt Dull Further listening and reading: Revolutions  by Mike Duncan (I've...

In part 2 of our quick dash through 2000 years of Anglo-French relations, we cover the period from 1274 to 1498, including The Hundred Years' War, the Wars of the Roses, and a whole lot of drama and murder. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-4-supplemental-part-ii/ Music by Matt Dull

We're taking a short break from First Ladies to do a crash course in the history of relations between England and France. Because their constant warring has a large impact on early America, I thought it would be a fun detour to give you more context. Map and transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-4-supplemental-part-i/  Music by Matt Dull

We wrap up the life of Dolley Madison this week with a quick jaunt through the 1830s and 1840s. There are plenty of fun anecdotes in this episode! See the earliest known photo of a First Lady (technically a daguerrotype) and find the transcript at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-14/ Music by Matt Dull You can stream Matt's latest musical work by searching for his stage name "Austin Matthe...

After 16 years of service to the government, Dolley and James finally get to leave Washington and retire to Montpelier for good. Portraits and transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-13/ Music by Matt Dull The book I mention toward the end of this episode, Madison's Hand: Revising the Constitutional Convention by Mary Sarah Bilder, can be found here .

We finally wrap up the War of 1812 this week, but not without plenty of drama. Note: at one point, I say that James sent instructions to the peace commissioners on October 4, 1815, but I meant to say 1814. By October 1815, the war was long over. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of all these dates! Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-12/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover two more years of war, 1813 and 1814, including the dramatic burning of Washington and the President's House in August 1814. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-11/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we finally get to the War of 1812! Also, Dolley's sister gets married in the first-ever White House wedding (even though we're still not calling it the White House). And James Madison wins reelection.  Transcript and further reading available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-10/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover the early part of James's first term as President, including Dolley's work redecorating the President's House and throwing parties left and right.  Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-9/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover James's second term as Secretary of State, the election of 1808, and more background on the run-up to the War of 1812. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-8/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we learn more about Dolley's role as Jefferson's presidential hostess, and cover a couple of important events that took place during Jefferson's first term; namely, the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis & Clark expedition. Maps, portraits, and transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-7/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover the four short years that the Madisons spent at Montpelier before James was dragged back into government service, and we get our first look at Dolley's new role as presidential hostess. Transcript and links available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-6/ Music by Matt Dull Link to S.193 Link to H.R. 630

After taking a brisk review of the ratification of the new U.S. Constitution, we finally get Dolley and James together this week, covering their courtship, wedding, and early years of marriage in Philadelphia. Transcript and portaits available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-5/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we do a deep dive into the Constitutional Convention - think of it as getting to see how the sausage is made, with the sausage being the legal document that still rules our lives today. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-4/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we hit pause on Dolley Madison to focus on young James Madison as he develops into the statesman who will eventually play such a large role in creating the U.S. Constitution. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-3/ Music by Matt Dull