Hannah Van Buren

image: "Mrs. Martin Van Buren". John Chester Buttre (1821-1893).
Engraving. Library of Congress

Hannah Van Buren, The Most Obscure First Lady:

Five U.S. presidents' wives died before they could become America's First Lady. One of these women was Hannah "Jannetja" (Hoes) Van Buren, wife of Martin. Hannah has been all but forgotten by history, primarily because she died at a very young age after having lived a life of obscurity. Nevertheless, she did impact the life of her husband, whom many historians consider the most capable-- albeit underrated-- man to call the White House home.

Hannah Hoes Van Buren
Martin Van Buren
Repeat after me: