First Ladies of the United States: Harriet Lane

Of all the women who have served as first lady, Harriet Rebecca Lane (later Harriet Lane Johnston) is unique in being the only one to do so for a president who never married. Although other presidents before James Buchanan had entered the Executive Mansion (that is, the White House) unmarried—both President Andrew Jackson and President Martin Van Buren were widowers—none had enjoyed a truly lifelong relationship with the woman who would manage the social obligations required of the chief executive. The familial bond with her uncle proved crucial to Harriet Lane's life: she received a formal education and met numerous political leaders of the day; she accompanied her uncle on his mission to England and became an “Honorary Ambassadress” in the process; and she skillfully executed the duties of social hostess of the Executive Mansion, becoming the “first lady in the land.” To this unassuming and highly capable twenty-six-year-old woman fell the responsibility of leading Washington's social life during a period of great national crisis...