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Mary Arthur McElroy

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White House Hostess

The Resume

    (July 5, 1841-January 8, 1917)
    Born in Greenwich, New York
    Sister of President Chester A. Arthur
    White House hostess (1883-85)

Why she might be annoying:

    Her brother had been President for over a year before he asked her to be White House hostess.
    She admitted that when she started, she was 'absolutely unfamiliar with the customs and formalities' of the position.
    She declined to support any charitable causes while in the White House.
    She was a member of the Albany Association Opposed to Women's Suffrage.

Why she might not be annoying:

    She avoided using the title 'First Lady' out of respect for her brother's recently deceased wife, Ellen.
    She often had her daughter May and Chester's daughter Nell assist when she hosted events; the girls' presence 'did away with any stiffness.'
    She honored previous First Ladies Julia Tyler and Harriet Lane by asking them to join her in receiving guests at the White House.
    She turned down requests from temperance leaders to ban alcohol at White House functions.
    She traveled to Ireland to preserve the Arthur family homestead as a historic site (1886).
    After her brother's death, she arranged for his funeral, became guardian of his daughter Nell, and organized his Presidential papers.
    She was married to John McElroy for 54 years.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 7 Votes: 0% Annoying