Elizabeth Monroe was First Lady from 1817-1825. She holds the dubious distinction of being dubbed a snob during her White House tenure. She had been a great social success in Paris while her husband had been minister to France. But by the time they entered the White House, she was ill and social occasions held little allure for her.

Elizabeth Monroe had three children; her only son died in infancy. But she did marry off her younger daughter in a White House wedding; this event further infuriated Washington society because it was deemed too small. (Few government personages were invited not even Cabinet members!)