Harriet Lane Johnston

James Buchanan was a lifelong bachelor, the only president who never married. During his administration, the role of first lady was filled by his ward and orphaned niece, Harriet Lane.

Harriet was an intelligent, vivacious, attractive, and charming young woman. While Buchanan is remembered as an unsuccessful president, Harriet Lane was widely admired, and is well-regarded for her time as first lady, having handled her difficult duties during those troubled times with grace and skill.

In 1866 Harriet married Henry Johnston, a wealthy Baltimore banker, and they had two sons. Sadly, both children died before reaching adulthood and Henry soon followed them.

Harriet outlived her husband by 19 years. On her death she endowed the Harriet Lane Home for Invalid Children, a children’s home/medical facility connected to Johns Hopkins Medical School that served hundreds of thousands of children during its existence. An avid art collector, she donated her extensive collection to the Smithsonian, and it became the founding collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Today is the birthday of Harriet Lane Johnston. She was born in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania on May 9, 1830.