Margaret Taylor
Margaret Taylor’s stint as first lady, spanning 1849 to 1850, was marked by brevity and a reluctance for the role. Hailing from a military background, the Taylors, though affluent due to their Louisiana plantation, were perceived as rural in Washington. Unaccustomed to the social demands, Peggy, as she was known, was uncomfortable in crowds, prompting her to delegate most first lady responsibilities to her daughter, Betty. Tragically, less than two years into Zachary Taylor’s presidency, he succumbed to illness after consuming cherries and milk on a scorching Fourth of July. In the Siena College study, Peggy received scores ranging from 2.86 to 2.90 out of five, reflecting her limited engagement in public image, leadership, and accomplishments, mirroring her brief and reluctant tenure.
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