First wife of Woodrow Wilson. She died on August 6, 1914, while Wilson was in office, and thus served as First Lady for less than two years. Woodrow Wilson married Edith Bolling Galt the following year. Rare TLS signed “Ellen A. Wilson,” one page, 4.75 x 6.5, Governor’s Cottage letterhead, July 12, 1912. Letter to noted journalist Colonel Darwin Pavey. In full: “Your interesting letter is just at hand, and I wish I had time to tell you how much we are helped by such expressions of friendship and confidence, but I am sure that you will understand the heavy pressure that we are all under just at present. I am very sorry that I have no photographs at the house of myself or my daughters, in fact, we ourselves so dislike the group photograph of which you speak, that we have never possessed one!” Wilson has made a correction and a couple of addition in her own hand to the text. In fine condition, with some scattered light toning.
The future first lady sent this letter just days after the July 1912 Democratic Presidential Convention, considered one of the most memorable presidential campaigns of the 20th century. Her husband was on the verge of delivering a concession speech when, on the 46th ballot, he was eventually nominated. Wilson's popularity as New Jersey governor and his status in the national media gave impetus to his 1912 presidential campaign—though the process created “the heavy pressure that we are all under just at present.” The letter also provides interesting personal insight into her disdain for a well-known portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and their daughters posing on a porch—a pose the family disliked but which came into great demand by journalists. Scarce correspondence from the first Mrs. Wilson, whose death so early in her husband’s presidency makes examples such as this among the scarcest of all first ladies. RRAuction COA.
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