Presidential Biographies | Madison Administrations - Family Life

Family Life

James Madison did not marry until he was 43 years old. Described as shy in public but eloquent in private, Madison mustered the courage to ask a mutual friend, Aaron Burr, to arrange an introduction to the beautiful and sociable Dolley Payne Todd. Dolley Todd was a widow with one son, John Payne Todd (a spendthrift who would one day bring financial ruin on his parents). Dolley Todd and James Madison married on September 15, 1794. The marriage cost Dolley Madison her religion, as she was expelled from the Society of Friends for marrying outside of the Quaker religion.

Dolley Madison was a striking beauty, a stylish dresser (after she left the Quaker religion), and an accomplished conversationalist. She served frequently as hostess for presidential dinners during the administration of President Thomas Jefferson, Madison's friend, whose wife had died before he assumed the presidency. While serving as hostess, Dolley...