The shelves White House Library are filled with volumes and novels ranging from historical novels to in-depth biographies. The question arises, however, of how such a vast collection of literature came to be. The existence 0of this library can be attributed to Abigail Powers Fillmore, First Lady of the United States from 1850 to 1853. Through her passion for knowledge, Fillmore became a quiet but strong figure both in and out of the White House.
Abigail Powers’ love of knowledge was rooted in her early years, She was born on March 13, 1798, in Stillwater, New York. Her father, Reverend Lemuel Powers, was a locally well-known Baptist minister. When she was still young, the reverend died, prompting her mother, Abigail Newland Powers, to move …show more content…
Abigail and her husband were planning to go on a trip to the southern states once Millard’s term had ended. Despite her poor health, she attended the inauguration of her husband’s presidential successor, Franklin Pierce, in early March of 1853. Due to the blowing winds and cold conditions, she contracted pneumonia. Her family rushed her to the Willard Hotel, located near the White House for treatment, but died succumbed to her illness three weeks later on March 30th, 1853. In response to her passing, the entire Congress adjourned, and all public offices closed. Her family sent her body back to Buffalo, and she was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, where both her husband, and his second wife, Caroline McIntosh Fillmore, would be buried later.
Abigail Fillmore was a quiet woman with a strong passion for learning and knowledge. She used her intelligence to urge the importance of books and education in both her small town home and in the White House. Although she was a First Lady for only three years, and is relatively obscure, Abigail Fillmore proves that one does not have to be extremely outgoing, famous, or extroverted to make a significant impact on
Abigail Powers’ love of knowledge was rooted in her early years, She was born on March 13, 1798, in Stillwater, New York. Her father, Reverend Lemuel Powers, was a locally well-known Baptist minister. When she was still young, the reverend died, prompting her mother, Abigail Newland Powers, to move …show more content…
Abigail and her husband were planning to go on a trip to the southern states once Millard’s term had ended. Despite her poor health, she attended the inauguration of her husband’s presidential successor, Franklin Pierce, in early March of 1853. Due to the blowing winds and cold conditions, she contracted pneumonia. Her family rushed her to the Willard Hotel, located near the White House for treatment, but died succumbed to her illness three weeks later on March 30th, 1853. In response to her passing, the entire Congress adjourned, and all public offices closed. Her family sent her body back to Buffalo, and she was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, where both her husband, and his second wife, Caroline McIntosh Fillmore, would be buried later.
Abigail Fillmore was a quiet woman with a strong passion for learning and knowledge. She used her intelligence to urge the importance of books and education in both her small town home and in the White House. Although she was a First Lady for only three years, and is relatively obscure, Abigail Fillmore proves that one does not have to be extremely outgoing, famous, or extroverted to make a significant impact on