Quick Facts
- NAME: Martha Washington
- OCCUPATION: U.S. First Lady
- BIRTH DATE: June 02, 1731
- DEATH DATE: May 22, 1802
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Chestnut Grove Plantation (near Williamsburg), Virginia
- PLACE OF DEATH: Mount Vernon, Virginia
- Maiden Name: Martha Dandridge
- AKA: Martha Custis
- Full Name: Martha Dandridge Custis Washington
- AKA: Martha Custis Washington
- Nickname: "Lady Washington"
- AKA: Martha Dandridge Custis
- AKA: Martha Washington
Best Known For
As the original U.S. first lady, Martha Washington set many of the standards and customs that came to be observed by future president's wives.
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Play NowMartha Washington. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 11:30, May 19, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/martha-washington-9524817.
Martha Washington. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/martha-washington-9524817 [Accessed 19 May 2013].
"Martha Washington." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 19 2013, 11:30 http://www.biography.com/people/martha-washington-9524817.
"Martha Washington," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/martha-washington-9524817 [accessed May 19, 2013].
"Martha Washington," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/martha-washington-9524817 (accessed May 19, 2013).
Martha Washington [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 19] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/martha-washington-9524817.
Martha Washington, http://www.biography.com/people/martha-washington-9524817 (last visited May 19, 2013).
Martha Washington. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/martha-washington-9524817. Accessed May 19, 2013.
Profile
Born Martha Dandridge on June 2, 1731, at the Chestnut Grove Plantation (near Williamsburg) in Virginia, Martha Washington was already a wealthy widow when she wed George Washington in 1759. As the original U.S. first lady, Martha, also known as "Lady Washington," helped set many of the customs and standards that came to be observed by future president's wives. She died on May 22, 1802, in Mount Vernon, Virginia.
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Influential Women of Washington
View groupWhen the 19th Amendment was ratified, women were finally given the right to vote, and over the years many courageous women have stepped onto the national political stage as well. In 1916, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to Congress and almost a century later Sonia Sotomayor became the first Latina woman to serve on the Supreme Court. And within the last two decades, the esteemable Hillary Clinton has served as First Lady, a New York senator and Secretary of State. These women, and many more, are setting the stage for the future of female leaders in Washington.
Visit Biography.com's Women's History group to explore more biographies, photos and videos of some the world's most fascinating women."
Influential Women of Washington 73 people in this group
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U.S. First Ladies
View groupThe wives of U.S. presidents are often important American figures in their own right. Although they have no official responsibilities, first ladies are a highly visible part of U.S. government. The role of the first lady has evolved over the centuries, from hostess of the White House to advocates for public policy. Learn about the different causes first ladies like Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama have championed over the years, from literacy to addiction to health care reform.
U.S. First Ladies 45 people in this group
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Famous Geminis 529 people in this group
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