First Biography of Forgotten First Lady Harriet Lane

    SUBJECT: First Biography of Forgotten First Lady Harriet Lane
Contact: Milton Stern
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202-247-1149
http://www.harrietlane.net

First Biography of Forgotten First Lady Harriet Lane

Harriet Lane was the first White House Hostess to be called "First Lady," and she was the most admired woman of her time.

/24-7PressRelease/ - Washington, DC, July 1, 2005 - First Lady Harriet Lane, niece of President James Buchanan, is the subject of a new book by Washington historian and novelist Milton Stern. "Harriet Lane, America's First Lady" is the only biography of the forgotten First Lady, who set fashion trends, pushed legislation through Congress, and established the first pediatric and teaching hospital in the country.

"While researching the life of James Buchanan, I discovered a wealth of material on his White House hostess," Stern said, "Here was the most influential woman of her time, and Harriet Lane was relegated to obscurity because she was the niece of an unpopular president."

"A delightful read," declares Beverly Nissenbaum, literary critic for a Washington-based non-profit magazine. She continues, "A scholarly work that reads like a novel and has plenty of footnotes for the more advanced study of American presidential history. A long overdue account of the life and times of Harriet Lane, the niece of America's only Bachelor President, James Buchanan. Stern also brings to light the very likely fact that Buchanan had a decades long homosexual relationship with Senator William Rufus Devane King. The Jackie Kennedy of antebellum America, Harriet Lane's role as lady of the house, hostess, and escort of James Buchanan enabled him to entertain as Senator, Ambassador, and President of the United States. A sexy, athletic and cultured woman, adored by high society, and an outspoken supporter of the poor, sick, and enslaved, Harriet Lane was a real doer in philanthropy. "Harriet Lane, America's First Lady" is a must read for anyone interested in American women's history."

"Harriet Lane, America's First Lady" contains never-before-published letters from Lily Macalester, Lane's best friend and the longest serving vice regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Macalester, whose father founded Macalester College in Minnesota, was an eyewitness to the elegance of the Lane White House. Macalester was also instrumental in the restoration of Mount Vernon. Also included is Lane's will, perhaps one of the most important documents in American history, as it lays the groundwork for a national gallery of art, a school for Washington Cathedral choir boys, a pediatric and teaching hospital at Johns Hopkins and two monuments to President James Buchanan.

"Harriet Lane, America's First Lady" 2005 Milton Stern, ISBN 1-4116-2608-7 is available at all online booksellers or through http://www.harrietlane.net.


From the book jacket:

Queen Victoria bestowed upon her the title "Honorary Ambassadress." The Washington press corps proclaimed her "Our Democratic Queen." She was the first White House Hostess to be called "First Lady." Ships were named after her. Songs were written about her. Women dressed like her. No guest list was complete without her. She was the most admired woman in the country and established a style of entertaining never before seen in the White House. And only she could get away with beating the Prince of Wales at bowling!

Her life was marked by tragedy, yet she lived every day to the fullest. She conducted herself with grace and dignity and dedicated her life to the perpetuation of the memories of those dearest to her heart. Her legacy lives on in Baltimore and Washington through a pediatric hospital, a school for boys, a museum of art, and a monument to her beloved uncle.

While in her twilight years, a society columnist wrote, "There is no more elegant figure in the official and social gatherings during the season than the niece of President James Buchanan."

Thanks to her beauty, charm, and generosity of spirit, America's First Lady will always be Harriet Lane.

Contact: Milton Stern
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202-247-1149
http://www.harrietlane.net

"Harriet Lane, America's First Lady" 2005 Milton Stern, ISBN 1-4116-2608-7 is available at all online booksellers or through http://www.harrietlane.net.

# # #