Edith Bolling Galt Wilson: The Unintended President

James S. McCallops

Jan 2003 · Nova Publishers

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Edith envisioned her role in marriage to Woodrow Wilson as a helpmate to her husband. Thus her second marriage to Woodrow, following the untimely deaths of both of their first spouses, proceeded quite expectantly. His comfort and interests were paramount to her own. This was never more evident than in her actions following his debilitating stroke in 1919. For six weeks, she closely guarded his privacy and determined which issues demanded his attention and which could wait. She lobbied for certain legislation and soundly criticised others. Later, Edith contended that she was uniquely qualified for this role since she knew her husband's feelings on most issues. And as to those who labelled her the first female president, Edith refuted such pronouncements, claiming she merely acted as Woodrow's helpmate, but that he made every decision personally. But to historians and students of history, Edith's role, especially during her husband's incapacitation, marked a unique time in United States' history when a woman exerted direct control over matters of state. Therefore, it might be argued that Eleanor Roosevelt, in fact, built upon Edith's precedent in becoming the influential first lady that she did.