JOURNAL ARTICLE

Dolley and James Madison through the lens of medicine, sickness, and health.

  • Published In: Journal of Medical Biography, 2024, v. 32, n. 3. P. 329 1 of 3

  • Database: Historical Abstracts with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Abrams, Jeanne 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the health challenges faced by James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, and his wife Dolley Madison, highlighting their experiences with disease and eighteenth-century medicine. Despite their elite status and access to contemporary medical care, both endured recurring illnesses such as malaria, epilepsy-like episodes, yellow fever, and rheumatism, reflecting the broader public health struggles of early America. Dolley’s survival of the 1793 Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic notably influenced her historical role and marriage to James Madison. Their health narratives provide insight into the limitations of medical knowledge at the time and humanize these prominent figures by revealing the physical vulnerabilities underlying their political lives.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Medical Biography. 2024/08, Vol. 32, Issue 3, p329
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Military History and Science
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0967-7720
  • DOI:10.1177/09677720231196573
  • Accession Number:179737414
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