Parlor Politics

Authors Catherine Allgor and David Mattern discussed 18th and 19th century women’s politics including the political lives of James and Dolley Madison and other politicians in Washington. Ms. Allgor started the event by reading from her book Parlor Politics: In Which the Ladies of Washington Help Build a City and a Government, published by University Press of Virginia. The book is a history of the political role the women played in early America. In this book, Ms. Allgor discusses Dolley Madison, the wife of President James Madison, as well as Louisa Catherine Adams, who was the wife of President John Quincy Adams. Mr. Mattern then spoke about the book he edited, James Madison’s "Advice to My Country" published by the University Press of Virginia, and also discussed his new project on the correspondence of James and Dolley Madison. The authors end the event by answering questions from members of the audience. close