(20) Lucretia Garfield

Lucretia Rudolph Garfield

Websites

First Ladies National Library Biography of Lucretia Garfield

Papers/letters collections

Library of Congress: Lucretia Rudolph Garfield Papers

Historical sites

Lucretia Rudolph Garfield Gravesite

Fascinating details

Lucretia Garfield supported women’s rights, literacy, and education. She learned to speak German, Greek, Latin, and French.
She lifted the White House ban on serving alcoholic drinks imposed under her predecessor Lucy Hayes.
Her relationship with President Garfield was more contractual than loving, as the president did not place any great importance on the role of his wife in his social life at the capital.
Unfortunately, Lucretia’s time as first lady was cut short with the assassination of her husband. She served as first lady for less than seven months.
Lucy was the first presidential widow to participate in her husband’s memorial services.