Angelica Van Buren
Angelica Van Buren (1818 - 1877) was the daughter of President Martin Van Buren and served as the First Lady.
Research and Reference
- Angelica Singleton Van Buren, First Lady for a WidowerAngelica Singleton became first lady to a president whom she had not even known when he had won the election in 1836. Yet she played a major role during his term at the White House—the “Executive Mansion”—and set numerous precedents for the women who followed her. Despite her importance during her lifetime, she has not been studied and is only marginally remembered now. Because of the dearth of material on her, it is probable that she will remain a shadowy figure in the future. She will always be tied to President Martin Van Buren, who is himself a historical enigma and is far from being properly known. Van Buren's biographers—Edward L. Widmer (2005); Donald Cole (1984); John Niven (1983); Leonard L. Richards, Marla R. Miller, and Erik Gilg (2006); and Major L. Wilson (1984)—say relatively little about her, and she lacks a full-scale biography. It is unfortunate that there is so little material on her, because her life in the White House left a lasting legacy.
- Angelica Van Buren: White House Historical AssociationInformation on the life of Angelica Van Buren from the White House Historical Society.
Portrait
Anna Singleton Van Buren
Daughter-in-Law of the eighth president of the United States, Martin Van Buren
She assumed the post of first lady because the president's wife, Hannah Van Buren, had died and he never remarried. She is the youngest woman ever to act as the White House hostess.