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Anna Harrison.
1775-1864.
William Henry Harrison's wife is the only spouse of a president and grandmother of another. She never lived in the White House because her husband died a month after his inauguration. Their daughter-in-law Jane Harrison served as White House hostess for the shortest time-30 days.
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Letitia Tyler.
1790-1842.
John Tyler's first wife was a stroke victim and the first president's wife to die in the White House. Their daughter Letty Tyler Semple and daughter-in-law Priscilla Cooper Tyler served as White House hostesses until Tyler eloped with his second wife, Julia (1820-1889), who became the first photographed first lady.
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Sarah Polk.
1803-1891.
James Polk's wife worked as the president's secretary without taking a salary, and forbid dancing and card playing the White House.
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Margaret "Peggy" Taylor.
1788-1852.
Zachary Taylor's wife learned to shoot a gun when she lived with her husband on the Western frontier. When she lived in the White House, she refused to serve as hostess, giving that role to their daughter Betty Taylor Bliss.
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Abigail Fillmore.
1798-1853.
Millard Fillmore's wife was the first presidential spouse to work and earn a salary before marriage-as a schoolteacher. She died three weeks after leaving the White House, and her husband later married Caroline Fillmore, a widower who was wealthier than he was.
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Jane Pierce.
1806-1863.
Franklin Pierce's wife discouraged her husband's interest in politics. Two months before his inauguration, Mrs. Pierce was overtaken with grief and depression when she witnessed the gruesome death of their only living son in a train accident. She never completely recovered from the trauma.
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Harriet Lane.
1830-1903.
James Buchanan's niece was the White House hostess for the only president to remain a bachelor. An avid art collector, Lane upon her death bequeathed her collection to the Smithsonian Institution, which today includes the National Gallery of Art.
