First Lady: The Life of Lucy Webb Hayes

by Emily Apt Geer

The only biography of the wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes. Lucy Hayes was First Lady from 1877-1881. The book covers her early life, the Civil War, and emphasizes her influence in expanding the role of presidential wives.

Genres: Biography, American History, History

330 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1984

Reviews

[Toby Murphy]

A rather straight forward account of an interesting First Lady that is worthy of study. At times it was too generic and the writing lacked some voice. Overall, it was nice to see a biography of a First Lady that didn't focus so much on the president.

[Kari]

Visiting the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museum this past August sparked a deeper curiosity about the Hayes family, especially Lucy Webb Hayes. The tour brought their world to life—Rutherford’s steady leadership, Lucy’s warmth and conviction, and the way their partnership shaped the White House during a transformative period in American history.

This book feels like the natural next step. Lucy emerges as far more than a historical footnote: she was educated, principled, and deeply engaged with issues of her time. Her advocacy for veterans, her commitment to temperance, and her role in creating a more welcoming White House all stand out. The biography offers a thoughtful portrait of a woman balancing personal faith, public duty, and the complexities of post‑Civil War America.

My visit to the museum made me want to understand the Hayes family more fully, and this book delivered that context. I plan to continue my exploration by reading a biography of President Rutherford B. Hayes next.

[Phyllis]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this biography. Lucy was the first wife of a US President to earn a college degree and a woman with a known interest in human welfare. She was hailed as a representative of the New Woman Era.” She was 45 years old when she became the First Lady and previously had served as Ohio’s First Lady for three Gubernatorial terms. She supported the abolition and temperance movement and was ridiculed for her stand on alcohol and was nicknamed “LemonyLucy.”

She became involved in the completion of the Washington Monument. In her retirement she served as President

[Brian]

An enjoyable read about one of America's most popular first ladies of the nineteenth century. Lucy Hayes garnered much praise for her skill as hostess at the White House, and her views on temperance gave her the nickname "Lemonade Lucy".

This book was enjoyable. However, Lucy's early life was summed up briefly and she was married to Rutherford B. Hayes before page twenty-five. This could possibly be explained by a lack of source material for her early years. Otherwise this was a pleasant look at the life of Lucy Hayes.

[Linsey]

This was an enjoyable read about the life of First Lady Lucy Webb Hayes.

Some of my key takeaways:
-She was the first First Lady to earn a college degree.
-She was the first to be called First Lady.
-She was very involved in the temperance movement.

I’d recommend this book if you are interested in learning more about this woman of US history!

[The History Mom]

Great nonfiction book about one of the most popular (in her time) but least known first ladies.

[Mel Foster]

A really great biography of a wonderful first lady. Judiciously concise, but sprinkled with wonderful details, anecdotes, and occasional literary flights. This bio will help you understand the Reconstruction era, the temperance movement, gender relations in the 19th century, the women's suffrage movement, and the social life of Washington, D.C. through the lives of the Lucy and Rutherford Hayes.
The title alludes to the fact that Lucy was the first presidential wife referred to as the "first lady," a name which became a title. She was also the first "first lady" to hold a college degree.
Love and hospitality are two major themes and legacies of the Hayes family developed here.

[Johanna]

This book started great but then got a little slow for me. A good read.