History:The artist of the portrait is unknown, but it is thought to be a technically poor quality photo. It is an upper torso view of a rather plump Rachel Jackson.
Notes:Rachel Donelson Jackson (1767-1828) was the wife of President Andrew Jackson. She was born in Virginia, received the limited education available to pioneer children of this time. She came with her family to Middle Tennessee with a large group of settlers arriving at the Big Salt Lick April 24, 1780. Her family moved to Kentucky when the Indian conflict became dangerous. In 1785, Rachel married Captain Lewis Robards. After a short unhappy marriage with Robards and believing herself to be divorced from him, she married Andrew Jackson in Natchez, Mississippi. They later remarried upon learning their earlier marriage was not valid. Political opponents used this as scandel to defeat Jackson during his bid for the Presidency. She spent her married life with Jackson running their farm during his absences during the Indian wars. She died before his inauguration as President in 1828. She and her husband are buried at the Hermitage, their home in Nashville, Tennessee.
Categories:Portrait paintings; Presidents, First Ladies, Women.
